Cost of operating £146m bridge are double estimate

The cost of operating and maintaining the Gull Wing Bridge in Lowestoft stands at more than double its initial estimate of £600,000 a year, made in 2019.

The £146m third crossing over Lake Lothing opened to traffic in September 2024. Figures show it will cost £1.5m to run it in 2026.

Paul West, Conservative county councillor responsible for highways, said the running costs were "a little bit more than hoped" but "worth every penny".

Keith Welham, a Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent coalition opposition spokesman, said: "The contract is for five years from 2025 and will need to be renegotiated, and the annual cost could increase significantly."

A report to the council's scrutiny committee on Tuesday showed the costs were down to staffing requirements, a rise in energy prices and cost of materials for the unique design.

A presentation to councillors showed that a year on from opening, an average of 19,000 vehicles a day were using the Gull Wing.

This has also led to reduced usage of the two other water crossings connecting the north and south of Lowestoft that were previously affected by the traffic congestion that had led to decades of calls for the new bridge.

Due to its design and maintenance requirements, operators need to be on the Gull Wing for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

West said "on balance it's been the right decision" to build it.

"It was £137m capital investment from both the David Cameron government and supported by the county council through capital funds," he said.

"Yes, it costs a little more to run than we had hoped, but I think the people of Lowestoft would agree it's worth every penny."

The estimated cost of building the bridge was £127m in 2020, but the final cost was estimated to be more like £146m according to the council's September 2024 scrutiny committee report.

In all, the council agreed to contribute £71.94m, with £65m of that coming from borrowing. The rest of the funding was provided by central government.

With those borrowing costs added, Welham said it could push the total annual operating cost of the bridge "to £2.5m a year".

He said he was also "disappointed" to hear in the meeting that fewer pedestrians and cyclists than originally forecast were using the bridge.

"Scrutiny committee raised the possibility of reducing the number of traffic lanes on the A47 bascule bridge so that better cycle and pedestrian provision could be made," said Welham, a Green councillor for Stowmarket.

A full economic assessment and a value for money evaluation are due to be made after the crossing has been open for five years.

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