Pedestrians climbed over barrier in jammed bridge delay

Port director Richard Goffin said staff regularly suffered abuse and even threats of stabbing

The boss of a port has called for patience after frustrated pedestrians climbed over barriers while a bridge was stuck in a raised position.

Haven Bridge in Great Yarmouth in Norfolk failed to close completely on Friday after allowing a boat to pass.

It led to the bridge being shut to road users for an hour and 40 minutes.

Port director Richard Goffin said staff witnessed one person push a child in a buggy through the barrier to get over the bridge.

Haven Bridge is owned by Norfolk County Council, but operated by Peel Ports Great Yarmouth.

The bridge (pictured on a previous occasion) can be raised to allow river traffic to pass

"We have concerns every time we turn up to Haven Bridge at the moment when it doesn't operate as expected," said Mr Goffin.

"The bridge failed to close completely last week. In the event that happens, we have to lift the bridge to put it back down again, but it can't be done with people on the bridge.

"Our staff have to step back out of harm's way but at that point in time we had individuals jumping the barriers, running across over the gap and also people pushing pushchairs through the vehicle barriers, actually prising them apart to let pushchairs through, and pedestrians and cyclists through, which meant we couldn't lift it.

"People are jumping across the gap; it's not a huge gap [but] ultimately if there's a large amount of people on the bridge, the bridge could move."

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Mr Goffin said police were called, but took 45 minutes to arrive.

"When the bridge gets stuck we get abuse of our staff and the police are contacted immediately," he added.

"We've had staff threatened to be stabbed, squared-up to... there's nothing we can do about it other than just sit back and watch whatever goes on.

"Either [we need to put] more measures in place to stop people getting past, [more] security potentially when the bridge lifts happen or ultimately another measure is to physically close the bridge further back to then have an area where people can't get so close to our staff when they're trying to do their job."

A Norfolk Police spokeswoman said the force was called at 14:30 GMT on Friday due to concerns for safety and officers attended at 15:00 to prevent people crossing the barriers.

She added that the bridge was repaired and fully open to road traffic and pedestrians by 15:38.

A county council spokesperson said: "Threats directed at staff working to keep roads and bridges open are never acceptable and the operatives working on Haven Bridge have our full support.

"Some members of the public sought to cross [on Friday] despite the highway being closed. We must be clear that this is dangerous and poses a real risk of harm to those ignoring the closure.

"Highways restrictions are put in place to protect lives and allow vital work to be conducted, and not only is ignoring these directions gravely irresponsible but in this case it also delayed the return of Haven Bridge to full operation."