A regional daily’s campaign for a new bridge to serve its patch has been reignited by MPs.

The Nottingham Post has spent the past two years fighting for a fourth bridge to be constructed across the River Trent in order to alleviate “chaotic” congestion in the city and surrounding area.

Now, three Nottinghamshire MPs have boosted the campaign after backing the idea in Parliament.

Tories Tom Randall, Ruth Edwards and Ben Bradley, who represent Gedling, Rushcliffe and Mansfield respectively in the House of Commons, united behind the idea during a Westminster Hall during a ‘Transport in Nottinghamshire’ debate called by Mr Randall.

How the Post launched its campaign in 2020

Katherine Fletcher, the Department for Transport’s Roads Minister, also backed the idea.

South Ribble MP Ms Fletcher, who studied biology at the University of Nottingham, said plans for a fourth road crossing are in their “very embryonic days”.

She told the debate: “As someone that has got stuck in Nottingham when it grinds to a halt I do recognise the points [members] are making.

“The project, at this stage – highlighting wanting to pull a business case together to get the investment and ease congestion – I’m happy to take that away.

“It’s something that is in its very embryonic days.

“If I could perhaps write to you with the routes and opportunities you have to build an investment case locally and get that onto the DfT slate, I’ll follow that up with official help.”

Speaking to HTFP, Post editor Natalie Fahy said: “I’m pleased to see this issue has been raised in Parliament again, as it’s something we’ve been pushing for since the disastrous closure of Clifton Bridge in 2020 highlighted how desperately Nottingham needs a new bridge.

“Let’s hope the city council can work together with MPs to give motorists another option to get into the city and improve bottlenecks.”