Final part of £145m bridge successfully installed

The bascule span was due to arrive in early January but was delayed

The final section of a £145m bridge in now in place - connecting the bridge across a lake for the first time.

The bascule span, which is the largest part of the Gull Wing Bridge in Lowestoft, was successfully installed on 9 March ahead of schedule, according to Suffolk County Council.

A council spokesperson said further testing would be carried out over the next two weeks.

Once completed the bridge will provide the town with a third water crossing over Lake Lothing.

"On Monday the high-density counterweight concrete was poured into both J-beams," the spokesperson said.

"The hydraulic rams that lift the bridge have been fully connected to the bridge."

The bascule span was originally due to arrive in early January but was delayed.

According to the council, the bridge will be the largest rolling bascule bridge in the world, with the bascule span 129.6ft (39.5m) long, 72ft (22m) wide and 115ft (35m) tall.

It will sit clear of the highest tide by 39ft (12m) and the J-beams will be more than 164ft (50m) above the sea below.