Great Yarmouth's £121m Herring Bridge officially opened

But today doubters were proven wrong as hundreds of people gathered under a brilliant blue sky to watch the official opening of the town's £121m Third River Crossing - the Herring Bridge.

Toddlers were sat on parents' shoulders as people sardined by the security gates beside the bridge's control tower. There was a buzz about the momentous occasion from the hundreds of people gathered on the walkways and carriageways of the new bridge.

Hundreds of people gathered at the opening of the Herring Bridge. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)Following a morning of speeches from councillors and civic leaders, a parade of students from East Norfolk Sixth Form, police officers, dignitaries and members of the public led the way to the western approach in time for the blessing by Reverend Canon Simon Ward and MP Sir Brandon Lewis.

After Sir Brandon Lewis MP gave a few words, marking the occasion as the "culmination of many years of hard work", the countdown began.

After 10 short seconds, the bridge was open.

The Herring Bridge, open to road traffic and pedestrians. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)Sir Brandon unveiled the plaque on the control tower wall, which read: 

The plaque, unveiled by Sir Brandon Lewis MP, at the new Herring Bridge in Great Yarmouth. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Herring Bridge

Opened on Thursday 1st February 2024

by the Rt. Hon. Sir Brandon Lewis CBE MP

Named by the public vote in honour of the famous

Great Yarmouth Herring Boat Fleet

which once dominated the river at this location.

Funded and delivered by Norfolk County Council, the Department of Transport and the New Anglia LEP.

Carl Smith, Kay Mason-Billig, Penny Carpenter, Brandon Lewis and Graham Plant at the opening ceremony of the Herring Bridge in Great Yarmouth. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)Once the carriageway barrier was raised, a procession of classic cars, emergency services vehicles, the seaside road train, motorbikes, scooters, cyclists, runners and 200 schoolchildren officially became the first people to cross.

Cyclists crossing the Herring Bridge. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)In the afternoon, Great Yarmouth mayor Penny Carpenter and Norfolk County Council chairman Barry Stone cut the ribbons at both ends of the bridge, marking it officially open.

Great Yarmouth Borough Mayor Penny Carpenter shortly before cutting the ribbon. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Norfolk County Council chairman Barry Stone cutting the ribbon to the Herring Bridge. Picture - Norfolk County Council (Image: Norfolk County Council)The crossing was raised once again in the afternoon and a flotilla of vessels, lifeboats and the town's last remaining Herring Boat, the Lydia Eva made passage under the bridge.

After the boats had cleared, the bridge was closed once more before being open to all road traffic.

The Lydia Eva, making her way to pass through the Herring Bridge. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)A historic moment for the town

Some of the people in attendance were also present at the opening of other of the town's main bridges.

Genna Brown was in attendance at the opening of the Haven Bridge in 1930. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)105-year-old Genna Brown was just a schoolgirl when the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) opened the Haven Bridge.

Mrs Brown said: "We all lined up near the Star Hotel. All the schoolchildren were very excited. It was very impressive.

“The fishing boats were busy working away.

“I have got a mental image ingrained of all the boats and herring fleets. 

“Looking at the olden days and why it is called the Herring Bridge and the fishing boats, it is a good name.

“I am very grateful to be here.”

Michael Boon said he was proud to have been at the openings of both the Herring Bridge and the Breydon Bridge in 1985. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)Also at the opening was former Great Yarmouth Port Authority chief executive Michael Boon.

Mr Boon had overseen many big projects in the town over the past several decades, including "his baby" the Outer Harbour and the Breydon Bridge.

At the Breydon Bridge's opening in 1985, Mr Boon said there were concerns about the weather.

“We campaigned to have transport minister Nick Rigby at the opening. At the last minute, we were told he would come.

"The weather was terrible that day. And as we all know, too much wind and Breydon Bridge can’t be opened.

"When Nick arrived, the sky was terrifying. He got out of a double-decker in his white suit and we asked if he could give his speech but not take too long as we were concerned about the weather.

“I might be one of the only people who was invited to the openings of both the Breydon and the Herring Bridge. I am delighted to have been at both."

Lifeboats part of the flotilla making their way through the Herring Bridge. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)The Herring Bridge awaiting the flotilla. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)