Great Yarmouth's £121m Herring Bridge to open next month

Herring Bridge was used for testing and staff training ahead of being deemed operational

A new bridge will open to road traffic in just over a week after months of delays.

Herring Bridge in Great Yarmouth should have opened in September 2023, but the £121m project was held up.

Norfolk County Council blamed water voles found near the site and a World War Two bomb for causing the overruns.

The bridge will fully open on 1 February with members of the public invited to take part in the opening ceremony.

Conservative cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, Graham Plant, said: "I am thrilled that we now have a date for the official opening of Herring Bridge.

"The bridge will be an important link between Great Yarmouth and Gorleston which will improve links through the area, transform travel across the town and provide a massive economic boost to our region."

Herring Bridge should have opened in September 2023

One of the first vehicles to cross the bridge will be the seafront road train - which will take pre-booked passengers who apply for tickets.

Up to six tickets are available to any household that applies via email, using the subject heading "Herring Express" and sending to [e-mail] by midnight on Sunday.

Great Yarmouth mayor Penny Carpenter said: "This has been an amazing project with the local community showing real interest, from helping to choose the name for the new bridge to now having the opportunity to be some of the first to use it.

Herring Bridge will become fully operational to road users and pedestrians on 1 February

Richard Goffin, director of Peel Ports Great Yarmouth, said the bridge would improve the vehicle movements in and around the town.

"It's something we've been working with the council on since 2007, and we are happy to see it come to a successful conclusion," he said.

"We expect the bridge will offer an enhanced access to the supply chain which the port supports, but also the tourism businesses on the sea front."