Efforts to fix Great Yarmouth's Herring Bridge held up

The Herring Bridge is currently closed while mechanics try to resolve a problem that meant it was unable to open to allow a boat through.

Graham Plant, the Norfolk county councillor in charge of transport, said the authority is currently "in the dark" about what is causing the issue.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport. Picture - Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

He said efforts to fix it were being delayed by pedestrians crossing barriers to use the bridge, despite signs saying it is closed.

The £121m Third River Crossing has been dogged by problems since it opened last month.

Most memorably, it suffered technical problems two days after its official opening, and swearing from frustrated staff in the control room was broadcast via its public address system.

A cyclist on the bridge recorded the foul-mouthed outburst, with one worker saying: "I've been dealing with this ***** issue for four hours" before exclaiming "Oh for ****'s sake".

The incident saw the crossing dubbed the "Swearing Bridge".

Cones around the William Adams Way entrance to the Herring Bridge. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)The recent problems started on Wednesday morning when the bridge got stuck for 30 minutes and was unable to open for an oncoming vessel.

Later that night, drivers were instructed to find alternative routes while the bridge was shut so engineers could resolve the issue.

Mr Plant said: "Until the experts tell us what is wrong, we are in the dark."

The problem is understood to involve a 'false' signal being sent to the control tower, informing staff the bridge leaves are raised while they are actually still in the lowered position.

Mr Plant said that efforts to fix it had stalled, as people were crossing the barriers illegally.

"It is unfortunate that some people have decided to do this," he added.

"People crossing keeps the bridge from being raised, and it has to be raised in order to be fixed."

Fencing across the Herring Bridge by South Denes Road. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Fencing has now been installed at the bridge entrances on South Denes Road and William Adams Way to stop people trying to get across.

Similar issues occurred last month when the town's Haven Bridge suffered problems.

Officials warned that people were illegally passing barriers and crossing the bridge, abusing workers trying to fix it.

One drunk person was even seen directing traffic.

CLOSED AGAIN: Herring Bridge closes for a second time in six weeks due to a fault. Picture - James Weeds (Image: Newsquest)