Great Yarmouth's third river crossing will be open to river traffic from next week.

While the £121m Herring Bridge will remain closed to road traffic and pedestrians until sometime in 2024, the opening to river traffic has been deemed a major milestone, as it allows final works to take place on the bridge deck and lifting structure.

The bridge is set to come into operation for river traffic from 7am on Monday, with all river users required to gain permission to pass ahead of time.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: FLASHBACK: One of the bridge leaves of Great Yarmouth's third river crossing arriving in March. Picture - Denise BradleyFLASHBACK: One of the bridge leaves of Great Yarmouth's third river crossing arriving in March. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)Tony Mulholland, project director for contractors BAM Farrans Joint Venture, said: “We are in the final stages of preparing Herring Bridge for opening and we would like to thank the public for their continued patience and support. 

"Our team has worked closely with Norfolk County Council and the port authority to bring the bridge into operation for river traffic and will provide further details on the likely date of the full opening in the new year”.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Councillor Graham Plant. Picture - NewsquestCouncillor Graham Plant. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)Councillor Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said: "This is fantastic news for the project. 

"Like most people in Great Yarmouth, I want to see the works completed and Herring Bridge open to everyone as soon as possible and hopefully now it won’t be long until we are able to start using it."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: 'OPENING 2023'... A promotional notice for the Herring Bridge on Southtown Road. Picture - James Weeds'OPENING 2023'... A promotional notice for the Herring Bridge on Southtown Road. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Construction of The Herring Bridge began in January 2021 and was estimated to take just over two years. 

But the mammoth development, which had two prospective opening dates for March and the summer, stalled in February due to the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb and in July due to the presence of a vole burrow.

With the bridge soon opening to river traffic, all river users must follow the new procedures for requesting passage from this time.

These are available on the council’s website: www.norfolk.gov.uk/3rc