Gull Wing Bridge’s Final Costs Remain Undetermined Ahead of Official Opening

The complete expenditure for Lowestoft’s Gull Wing Bridge remains undisclosed, according to a report submitted to Suffolk County Council, as the structure prepares for its formal inauguration. This bridge establishes a third river crossing for the Suffolk town and has been accessible to vehicles since September. The Princess Royal is scheduled to officially open it on Tuesday. While the council anticipated the cost to be £146m, a report presented to the scrutiny committee stated that “the overall final budget position will not be totally clear until the main construction project has reached the final account stage,” a phase expected within the next six months. The report indicated a substantial reduction in traffic congestion since the bridge’s opening. Former Prime Minister David Cameron initially announced £74m in funding for a third Lowestoft crossing in March 2016 during a visit to Felixstowe, while campaigning for the Brexit referendum. Construction of the bridge over Lake Lothing commenced in 2020 but encountered considerable delays and increased expenses. The report, which is to be reviewed by Suffolk’s scrutiny committee, noted that “the scheme occurred during Covid-19 and its aftermath, including the re-setting of the global supply chain and a period of high inflation.” A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council commented, “For a major project of this magnitude it is normal that final costs won’t be known for several months. Final numbers will be reported to the cabinet in due course.” The report also observed that “anecdotally, traffic congestion in Lowestoft does largely appear to have evaporated almost overnight, and journeys seem to have been transformed for road users.” David Moss, managing director of Moss & Co, which operates pubs in the town, remarked that the bridge “has had a massive impact,” reducing journey times from 25 minutes to six. He also noted an increase in trade at his establishments. “It’s winter time and we are noticing it. At tea time, people will stop in now after work because there’s less traffic. I can’t wait to see what it will be like in the summer.” Stacey Lock, who manages a taxi firm, also stated that it had made a “huge difference,” with “congestion eased all around the town.” She added, “We used to have to limit journeys at peak times but now we can take journeys over the phone straight away.” “Drivers are definitely happy because they are not sat around waiting in traffic, which increases their revenue,” Ms Lock explained, expressing her hope that the benefits would endure. She concluded, “It will entice more businesses to come to the Lowestoft area and businesses that are trading will continue too, and it helps the economics of our town.”