Bridge name revealed ahead of major project milestones
Following an initial public suggestion scheme last year and a further public vote on the final shortlist the permanent name of the new Third River Crossing in Great Yarmouth can now be revealed.
The bridge is one of Norfolk’s most significant infrastructure projects in recent years and it is being delivered by BAM Farrans Joint Venture.
‘Herring Bridge’ was the clear favourite in both the in person vote and online poll winning with 2710 votes overall. Second place was Queens Gate (869 votes), closely followed by Britannia Bridge (857 votes) and Yare Bridge (814 votes), with Kings Bridge in fifth place receiving 572 votes.
The construction stage started in January 2021 with the accommodation, enabling and demolition works. This is followed by the in river marine works and construction of the approach embankments which will support two underpass and the bascule bridge (opening bridge). Once complete the local road network will be upgraded with a five-arm roundabout and dual carriageway.
The bridge will link the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout to the port and the enterprise zone on the other side of the river. It will ease traffic congestion on the town’s roads, shortening journey times and improving journey reliability, as well as supporting wider plans and work to maximise investment, regeneration and economic growth opportunities in the town and wider borough.
Councillor Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said: “I’m delighted the winning name is one which reflects the fantastic history of Great Yarmouth and I am confident the completion of this long awaited new bridge and further planned investments will bring much prosperity to the town and our region, as the fishing industries of our past did before it.”
In relation to the recent World War II bomb explosion, Cllr Plant added: “We are also extremely thankful for the collective emergency response which avoided any harm or injury to individuals or any damage to the bridge’s main structures during last month’s unprecedented events. Full credit to our site team and BAM Farrans Joint Venture for keeping us on track to reach the next key milestones and the fact a project of this scale has been delivered on time and on budget through COVID and present market conditions is simply outstanding.”
The next milestones include the delivery of the two leaves for the main lifting bridge which are due to arrive in Great Yarmouth by barge in the next two weeks where they will be moored in the river whilst final preparations for their installation later this month are put in place.
A further milestone is the arrival of a large floating crane that will be used to lift each of the bridge leaves into position. The installation process has been meticulously planned to take place over a 72 hour period from 8.00am on 21 March during which time this section of the river will be closed off to all vessels. Notices to mariners for this river closure have been published.
All operations will be subject to suitable weather conditions that could impact the timing of the delivery and lifting of the bridge leaves.
Each of the bridge leaves is 62 metres in length and 20 metres wide, weighing 700 tons when they are delivered. A further 500 tons of special concrete required to complete the counterbalance weight will be added once they are installed.
During the installation safe viewing areas will be established on either side of the river to allow interested members of the public to watch the work take place.
Once complete the new bridge will link the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout to the port and the enterprise zone via South Denes Road on the other side of the River Yare,
It is expected to be operational and open to traffic by Summer 2023 – improving access by easing traffic congestion on the town’s roads, shortening journey distance and times and improving journey reliability, as well as supporting wider plans to maximise investment, regeneration and economic growth opportunities in the town and wider borough.