Reedham Swing Bridge - Scheduled openings before repair works commence

When did work start and when will the bridge be open again to boats?

Network Rail (NR) began preparatory works as soon as the bridge operator reported an issue with the bridge’s opening mechanism in late June/early July.

These works continue as engineers construct a temporary support frame inside the bearing housing to take weight off the bearing while it is replaced. The central bearing will be removed by NR on 8 and 9 August, at which point the bridge cannot open to river traffic until the works are completed in September. Those able to pass under Reedham will be able to do so (dependent on tide, air draft, etc.), as there is no obstruction to navigation.

Will the Broads Authority be offering any compensation?

The Broads Authority shares our waterway users' frustration with these mechanical and heat-related issues at Somerleyton and Reedham, and it is unfortunate that swing bridge issues mainly affect the larger vessels. For the majority of craft, passage under the bridge is possible and there is no obstruction to navigation whilst the bridge repairs are ongoing. Therefore, there is no compensation event.

What steps are being taken to minimise disruption to river users – in particular, has the Broads Authority asked Network Rail to arrange a manual swing of the bridge to allow passage at set times, say once or twice a day (and if not, why not)?

As soon as the Broads Authority was made aware, by Network Rail, of the complete failure of the bearing, we arranged a meeting with NR’s engineers and Rail Management.

At this meeting, we reiterated the importance of this opening bridge to our waterway users and impressed upon NR the urgency of repairing it and getting it back to full operational status. We also asked for limited openings of the bridge to facilitate boat movements. We were informed that the bearing failure is so severe that the rail engineers' assessment suggests that any opening to the river (when the entire bridge is supported on the failed bearing) could result in a catastrophic failure of the entire bridge lifting and turning mechanism, putting the bridge out of action for many months.

The Broads Authority asked for more testing to see what opening movement could be achieved. This has now resulted in the three time-limited bridge openings being scheduled on the two days listed above. These openings are scheduled before the bearing is removed in early August.

What was the response of Network Rail to the Broads Authority stressing the importance of unobstructed navigation?

Network Rail is fully aware of the importance of operating bridges, and although these mechanical issues are frustrating for river users, NR is very responsive to bridge issues and has quick access to specialist engineers. NR has an ‘Understanding’ with the Broads Authority, whereby bridge issues are dealt with in ‘best endeavours’, and the NR response is demonstrating that this ‘Understanding’ is working.

This bridge is complex and aged (123 years old), and replacement parts need to be specially fabricated. NR also needs to gain track possession orders from Anglia Rail (train operators) and carry out preparatory works before the actual bearing can be replaced.

Who signed off the risk assessment stating that it is a lower and acceptable risk for the bridge to remain closed rather than left in the open position? If a bearing has failed, what risk assessment has there been in relation to continued use of the Reedham Bridge bearing?

Network Rail engineers have explained that, when the Reedham Swing Bridge is open to rail traffic, the bridge structure, track, trains, and carriages are fully supported by the bridge piers on either side of the bridge.

The issue is that this full bridge weight, when open to allow river traffic past, is only supported by the cracked bearing. Therefore, the bridge is operational for rail, but the lifting and turning mechanism needed for river users has serious mechanical issues, and continued opening risks further damage.

Rail activity, safety and maintenance are matters for Network Rail to address through their risk assessment procedures.

I thought that river navigation has priority over rail traffic under long-standing legislation. Has Network Rail been asked to open the bridge and leave it open on the basis that rail replacement buses could be put on to replace trains?

The River Yare (and the New Cut linking it to the Waveney at Reedham) was made a navigable route for shipping under the Norwich and Lowestoft Navigation Act 1827, and when the railway was later built across the Yare at Reedham, it needed its own Act of Parliament to cross a statutory navigation. The Reedham and Lowestoft Railway was sanctioned in 1845 as part of the Lowestoft Railway and Harbour promotion of 1844, and this established the Lowestoft Railway and Harbour Act 1845.

In 2010, the Broads Authority sought legal counsel’s advice relating to swing bridges (this legal advice remains exempt from public disclosure under paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972).

The advice recommended that the Broads Authority enter into an 'Undertaking' as the best way forward, and specific advice was given on drafting the ‘Undertaking’ to ensure it was effective. We have been operating under this ‘Undertaking’ since 2010 with Network Rail.

A bus replacement service is being used whilst the rail engineers carry out the repairs. Network Rail's communication release states:

“Although train services are not directly affected by the fault, the railway over the bridge will need to be closed on the weekends of 8 / 9 August and 29 / 30 August to allow the repair to take place. Services between Norwich and Lowestoft will be replaced by a direct bus service, also calling at Oulton Broad North. Some additional train services will run between Norwich and Great Yarmouth calling at Brundall, Buckenham, Cantley and Reedham. Passengers are advised to check greateranglia.co.uk before they travel.”