Work started today, 24th October 2011, on one of the two new footbridges that are to be installed across Bridges Road and West Common Lane at an estimated cost of £600,000 the final stage of a scheme to improve Scunthorpe Ridgeway.

Construction work began on Bridges Road this morning with workmen moving onto the site marking and pegging out the route of the cycle way and bridge.The new footbridge will span the cutting over Bridges Road, work for the bridge over West Common Lane is due to start in early 2012 and once completed, the Connect2 Ridgeway cycle scheme will see the creation of a continuous walking and cycling network from the Foxhills to the south of the town finishing at Burrigham Road. Work began in 2009 on the £3.4-million off-road network with the Ridgeway passing several schools and colleges and provide links along the greenbelt and into Central Park and The Pods.

Construction work begings either side of Bridges Rd cutting

A portrait bench will be placed between West Common Lane and Bridges Road near the site of two new bridges that will link the whole network. Life size figures of the three local heroes will be cut from corten steel that naturally rusts to a golden colour, and will stand behind the wooden bench.The three heroes were chosen from nominations made by people in North Lincolnshire last year, this will be;

Albert “Lal” White who was many times English grass track cycle racing champion and more famously a winner of the silver medal at the1920 Antwerp Olympics. He also rode in the 1924 Paris Olympics.  He worked at Lysaghts Steelworks and was given light work and not much of it so he could train for his cycling. 

Liz Smith was born Betty Gleadle in the Crosby area of Scunthorpe in 1921. Before retiring from acting she was made an MBE for services to drama and was best loved for her role as Norma (nana) in the Royle Family. Some of her other roles included Letitia Cropley in The Vicar of Dibley, Grandma Georgina in the 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She also appeared in long running TV shows such as Last of the Summer Wine, The Sweeney and The Gentle Touch. 
 
Jack Tighe, still a successful businessman, was an early member of Scunthorpe Polytechnic Cycling club who became a National Champion and an International competitor during his triumphant racing career. Jack has been a devoted supporter of the club for a period delivered by the Club to be unmatched by any other sponsor in the sport of cycling. His active engagement in the sport continued as a leisure cyclist, both at home and abroad, until he was finally persuaded to 'hang up his wheels' at age 74!
He retains and maintains his latest lightweight cycle as one of his proudest possessions.