Bridge reopens ending three-month boat blockade

Haven Bridge was closed to river traffic for more than 80 days

A bridge has reopened to river traffic ending a three-month blockade.

Peel Ports, which operates Haven Bridge in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, said it closed the bridge in April due to the public's bad behaviour when it malfunctioned.

The company has now reached a temporary agreement with Norfolk County Council - which owns the bridge - to bring it back into operation.

The council said it would contribute towards the cost of running the bridge while both parties sought a long-term solution.

The blockade had infuriated boaters and marine industries that relied on being able to travel through it to get between the Norfolk Broads and the North Sea.

Some claimed it had cost them thousands of pounds in navigating diversions.

Haven Bridge opened in 1930, having replaced an earlier version of the bridge which opened in 1854

In 2019 the 94-year-old bridge, which carries a major road into Great Yarmouth across the River Yare, suffered a catastrophic failure that led to a £2m rebuild, which was completed in December.

The bridge broke down again on 2 February and was only being opened between 10:00 GMT and 14:00 daily until 9 April, when Peel Ports shut the bridge completely, despite there being a statutory duty to open it for river traffic.

It said it refused to lift the bridge after some people - who were said to be intoxicated – tried to direct traffic, while others jumped over safety barriers in an attempt to see if they could still cross.

The company feared a repeat of the scenes and wanted Norfolk County Council to "accept its health and safety obligations".

At a cabinet meeting on Monday, Kay Mason-Billig, the leader of the Conservative-led authority, said: "We want local businesses to be assured that council has stepped in to make sure it will lift and that they will be able to use that bridge from now on."

'Pointless and frustrating'

The news has been a welcome relief for many in Norfolk's boating community who have experienced major ramifications due to the closure.

Goodchild Marine, a boat-building firm based on the banks of the River Waveney at Burgh Castle, has been unable to test its vessels out at sea due to the closure.

Sue Goodchild, who runs the business with her husband Alan said: "The whole thing has been pointless and frustrating. It is such a shame the Broads network has been tarnished because they could not come to an agreement and instead chose to get into a deadlock."

Terry Everett, who has been stuck in the Broads for six weeks waiting to sail his 100ft cruiser to its new home in Essex, said: "We are absolutely elated that we can now get on our way.

"We are hoping to get out as soon as possible."