Great Yarmouth 'nightmare' road closure sparks safety fears

The Bridge Road entrance to Steam Mill Lane, Cobholm, has been closed since Wednesday, March 23, 2022. 

That night, the former Haven Bridge pub went up in flames. Over the next few days, scaffolding was installed to secure the building, but it also led to the entrance of Steam Mill Lane remaining closed.

Steam Mill Lane has been closed by the Bridge Road entrance since March 2022. (Image: James Weeds)

At Legends Gym, new owner Mikie Webber-Kane said he was feeling frustrated by how long the building has been left in its current condition and how the road remains inaccessible to both traffic and pedestrians.

"It's really not ideal," Mr Webber-Kane said.

"I just can't believe it's been left as it is and there are no signs of when the road will reopen."

Mikie Webber-Kane, owner of Legends Gym on Steam Mill Lane, Great Yarmouth. (Image: James Weeds)

Mr Webber-Kane said residents from the nearby Shipley House had opened a gate which allows pedestrians to bypass the current footpath diversion down Bridge Road, Mill Road and Saw Mill Lane. However, the Riverside pathway is uneven and dark at night.

"We are very grateful to Shipley House for helping out," Mr Webber-Kane said. 

"But the path does worry some people who use it.

"We've left the lights on in one of our changing rooms, but it only does so much. 

"Plus, some people don't use the pathway responsibly."

The Riverside footpath behind Shipley House by Steam Mill Lane (right). (Image: James Weeds)

While visiting the area on Tuesday morning, our reporter saw two men riding on a moped down the Riverside pathway. Some pedestrians had also entered the secured site surrounding the Haven Bridge pub to access Steam Mill Lane.

Shortly after 10pm on Saturday, January 21, police were called to Stone Road and Steam Mill Lane following reports of antisocial behaviour.

A Norfolk Constabulary spokesperson said: "Officers attended Stone Road and Steam Mill Lane to disperse the group who had been attending a party. The incident was resolved at around 11pm."

The footpath behind Shipley House can be dark at night, sparking safety fears. (Image: James Weeds)

"We see it quite often," Mr Webber-Kane said.

"People are putting themselves and others at risk simply because the road is still shut. Something needs to be done.

"This is the main entrance for the road and it’s just become a nightmare.

"I sometimes wonder if this had happened somewhere in the centre of town, would it have been left as long. It feels like Cobholm is being treated differently."

Some pedestrians have entered the secured site by Haven Bridge pub to avoid the long footpath diversion. (Image: James Weeds)

Two other businesses were approached for comment, but they wished to remain anonymous.

One person said: "People don’t want to come down here anymore. Vans are having a hard time coming in and having to turn around. It makes deliveries a real pain.

"We've faced a potential loss of earnings over it.

"We just want the road entrance to reopen as soon as possible, so we can just continue with our business. I'm sure our customers and other businesses down here all want the same thing."

Haven Bridge pub on fire in March 2022. (Image: Angel Lala Esherwood)

What's causing the delay?

It has been ten months since the fire at the Haven Bridge pub. The blaze caused severe traffic delays around Great Yarmouth following the closure of Bridge Road.

The road was reopened two days later after the pub was secured by KB Scaffolding Services following an emergency meeting between the company, the building owner, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Norfolk Constabulary, Norfolk Fire and Rescue and a structural engineer.

KB Scaffolding Services owner Michael Black has pursued legal action as he is still yet to be paid for the scaffolding. The bill now stands at a six-figure sum.

Crew from KB Scaffolding Services securing the Haven Bridge pub in Great Yarmouth last March. (Image: KB Scaffolding)

Mr Black believes Great Yarmouth Borough Council should pay the bill. The council has said the bill is the responsibility of the building owner, Martin Bennington.

Mr Bennington said he is still "at a stalemate" with his insurance company.

Norfolk County Council has confirmed Steam Mill Lane is scheduled to be closed until September 22 and the licence for the scaffolding surrounding Haven Bridge pub expires in March. The licence is expected to be renewed after that date.

County councillor for Nelson and Southtown Mike Smith-Clare said: "I can fully appreciate the frustration local businesses feel regarding the road's closure.

"Hopefully the completion date will be brought forward in order to avoid any additional disruption."