'I loved my house' - Properties days away from demolition for new bridge

A terrace of 10 houses in Queen Anne's Road and a block of nine (148-156) in Southtown Road are all boarded up and their gardens are being stripped away.

Signs of recent occupation include an NHS rainbow displayed in a window to spread cheer and support during the pandemic. (Image: Liz Coates)

Some bear the signs of recent occupation with NHS rainbows looking out from living room windows - the last families having moved out as recently as December.

Lisa Manning, a domestic supervisor at Gorleston's James Paget University Hospital whose home was compulsory purchased by Norfolk County Council a decade ago, said it was sad adding: "I loved my house in Southtown and the memories we had."

Great Yarmouth's vision for a Third River Crossing, for which construction will begin in 2021 and be finished by 2023. (Image: Archant)

So far the homes have been "soft-stripped" with wrecking teams set to move in and flatten them at the end of next week.

The houses in Southtown Road have a date stone of 1873 proclaiming them "Brighton Terrace."

A date stone records the terrace of large homes was built in 1873 and named 'Brighton Terrace.' (Image: Liz Coates)

The third river crossing is billed as among the county council's "most significant" infrastructure development.

It will link the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout to the port and the enterprise zone on the other side of the river and is due to be operational by early 2023.

Construction work began last month, with more than 50 local employment and training opportunities being created by the main contractor BAM Farrans, a statement said.

Martin Wilby, the county council's cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, hailed the activity and said the new crossing would make it much easier for people living and working in the borough to get around and provide crucial support to the town’s key industries.

Houses in Queen Anne's Road have been stripped out and prepared for demolition to make way for Great Yarmouth's third river crossing due to open in early 2023. (Image: Liz Coates)

A terrace of Victorian homes in Southtown Road, Great Yarmouth, is days away from demolition. (Image: Liz Coates)

Houses in Queen Anne's Road are being prepared for demolition to make way for Great Yarmouth's third river crossing. (Image: Liz Coates)

"This is more important than ever now as we seek to help Norfolk’s economy recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” he added.

A government contribution of £98m was confirmed in November 2020 following the conclusion of a year-long development consent order process.

Work includes the upgrading of William Adams Way and the construction of a new roundabout.

Great Yarmouth's vision for a Third River Crossing, for which construction will begin in 2021 and be finished by 2023. (Image: BAM Farrans/ Norfolk County Council)

A pedestrian diversion will be in place throughout the works and the finished project will see a number of walking and cycling improvements, including the installation of a new pedestrian crossing on William Adam Way.

A temporary 30mph speed restriction will be in place along William Adams Way for the duration of the project.

The homes in Queen Anne's Road will be the first to be demolished.

The process of tearing down homes to make way for Great Yarmouth's third river crossing has begun. (Image: Liz Coates)

Houses in Queen Anne's Road which until recently looked out onto a community garden are being bulldozed to make way for Great Yarmouth's third river crossing. (Image: Liz Coates)