Norfolk Broads haven bridge blockade ends after 83 days

Peel Ports made the announcement on Monday, with the first boats since April expected to pass below the crossing today.

The company had been refusing to lift the bridge because of the rowdy scenes when it opened in February. While some people clambered over barriers and abused staff, one drunk person tried to direct traffic.

It wanted the bridge's owner - Norfolk County Council - to do more to avoid a repeat of the scenes and the two sides have been in stalemated talks for weeks.

Richard Goffin, director of Peel Ports (Image: Newsquest)

The announcement comes days after it was revealed that the bridge was to open for regular maintenance work - but that boats would still not be able to pass below.

It also came the day before Rachel Reeves – the shadow chancellor – was due to face questions on the issue, during a visit to the company, which was keen to show the port area was open for business.

Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to Southampton Port (Image: PA)

Boaters and marine firms say the closure – which has effectively blockaded the Broads – has cost them thousands of pounds.

One company director, who has faced huge extra costs due to the closure, said: "The whole thing has been pointless and frustrating."

Haven Bridge lifting for boats to pass in previous years (Image: Newsquest)

BLOCKADE ENDS

Haven Bridge, which is almost a century old, was brought back into working order at the end of last year after it was shut in 2019 for a multi-million-pound repair programme that was hampered by delays.

But four months later it was closed again.

Peel Ports blamed its decision to shut the crossing on April 9 on half a dozen incidents of staff being abused in February this year, saying Norfolk County Council was "refusing to accept its health and safety obligations."

During the deadlock, NCC insisted the firm had a statutory duty to operate the bridge, as it manages the Great Yarmouth port. 

The low-lying Haven Bridge needs to open to let many boats through (Image: Newsquest)

It appears cash-strapped County Hall has now conceded and has agreed to "contribute towards the cost of running the bridge while both parties seek a long-term solution.”

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

"It has been a great worry for many people in Great Yarmouth."

The agreement is expected to last six months.

The decision follows a notice being issued last week that NCC engineers were going to lift it once a week for maintenance but mariners were still unable to pass - a move criticised as a "farce". 

A spokeswoman from Peel Ports said: “We’re pleased to have reached this temporary agreement and will continue working with NCC to find a longer-term solution.”

Haven Bridge lifting to let a yacht pass through (Image: Newsquest)

"POINTLESS AND FRUSTRATING"

The news is a welcome relief for many in Norfolk's boating community, who have faced major ramifications due to the closure.

The only other way to leave the Broads to get to sea was via Mutford Lock, at Oulton Broad - but this is unsuitable for many craft and left others with long and expensive diversions.

An archive photo of Haven Bridge (Image: Newsquest)

However, there remains frustration at the fallout of the blockade.

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.

Alan and Sue Goodchild of Goodchild Marine in Burgh Castle (Image: Newsquest)

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.

Terry Everett (Image: Newsquest)

"The whole thing is confusing and a bit ridiculous, I don't understand the reasoning for it."

Peter Ward, of the Broom Owner's Club - a group of people who sail sea-faring cruisers built at the Brundall boat yard - is looking forward to getting out to sea.

"The decision to close it seemed a disproportionate response. This is a big and welcome step forward which the boating community will embrace but we will watch closely to see what happens after the temporary agreement ends."

A busy day on the water with boats passing through Haven Bridge (Image: Newsquest)