Recession hits bridge plans

Danish architect Tim Norlund won a competition to design the bridge spanning the Sheffield Parkway at Catcliffe with plans for ring shape on either side, beating off 100 other entries with a concept judges described it as both "inspired and inspiring."

But the bridge, which is being built to stop people risking their lives by dashing across the dual carriageway to reach Tinsley golf course, will now take on a more mundane form after financial factors took their toll.

Rotherham Borough Council's Planning Board has now approved an application for the scaled-down version of the bridge, which will feature slightly curved sides rather than the earlier-planned metal ring.

In an effort to pump money back into the local economy, the possibility of using steel made by Corus is being discussed.

The bridge and part of the embankment on one side of the road is within Rotherham's boundaries but engineers will have to wait for the thumbs-up from Sheffield planners before starting work.