The final piece of a new Norwich bridge was lowered into place this afternoon as the largest crane in the county was brought in to add the finishing touches.

The bridge, between St James Place and the car park beside the Adam and Eve pub, has been created over the River Wensum to improve pedestrian access to the city centre and railway station, as well as connecting the site to the city's cycle routes.

Today, contractors R G Carter Ltd lifted the final piece of the bridge into place, marking the fruition of an idea that had first been conceived more than 20 years ago by former Jarrold chairman Peter Jarrold.

The bridge, to be named Peter's Bridge, was built from weathering steel with renewable hardwood decking, and has been designed in the shape of a 'J'.

It is part of a �1.6 million investment by Jarrold and is the latest stage in the regeneration of the city centre site, off Barrack Street, which began with the letting to Greens Health & Fitness Centre in 2000.

Since then, a new business quarter in the city centre has evolved with the development of five new buildings, which are home to solicitors Mills & Reeve and Birketts, accountants Grant Thornton, Barclays and Amlin Insurance from the financial services sector as well as Defra, the Broads Authority, English Nature and the Environment Agency.

David Hill, Jarrold chairman, said: 'Since the initial design stage we have earmarked funding for this new bridge. It is a fundamental component of our St James Place development and we consider it a major investment for the future as the scheme progresses and further development takes place.

'Not only does it enhance the accessibility of the site, it also links to the St Helens Wharf car park which we acquired in 2009.'

He added that future proposals for the site include more offices, residential areas and a 150-bed hotel.

'Our investment is helping to create a thriving business community in the centre of Norwich, which is very pleasing,' he said.

The bridge will be officially opened by Peter Jarrold in the spring of 2012, however it will be open for pedestrian use earlier in the year.