A controversial road bridge, which has been criticised by English Heritage and the Royal Fine Art Commission, has troubled the waters at Brayford Pool, site of Humberside University's new Lincoln campus due to open next year, writes Alison Utley.

The University of Lincoln project company is being forced to apply to the City Council for a relaxation of planning conditions to ensure that its waterfront campus will open in time for the planned arrival of students in 1996.

Delays to the completion of the bridge and link road to the campus threatened to jeopardise the opening of the site since, as part of a planning agreement, the university agreed that none of its new buildings would come in to use until the new highway was open.

Roger King, vice chancellor of Humberside University which will run the Lincoln operation, said the signs were that the original planning agreement could be changed. He said the link road to the campus would be complete in time for the arrival of students even though the bridge would probably be unfinished.

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And despite local speculation that students could be left stranded Professor King was confident there would be no delay to the opening of the Pounds 32 million university.

English Heritage and the Royal Fine Art Commission have led criticism of the designs for the new flyover which will cross the campus at Brayford Pool.

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Along with local conservation groups they have called for a design more in keeping with the city's history. Changes to the plans have caused delays which mean that the road scheme is now scheduled for completion six months after students are due to arrive.

As a result city planners could refuse to allow the campus to open because of the potential danger that bridge building work may pose for staff and students.