Swing Bridges – evidence needed of service failure

Recent hot weather has resulted in operational problems with the Reedham and Somerleyton swing bridges, so that they can’t be opened to permit large or tall vessels to pass.  The Broads Authority have been talking to Network Rail about the problems for several years and in August 2018 held a workshop attended by Network Rail and representatives from boat users and the BA.  Notes of this workshop can be downloaded here.

The bridges were both built in 1906 and are effectively at “end of life”. Network Rail have carried out engineering studies and consultations which recently concluded that replacement opening structures are the preferred long term maintenance option. However special funding is required, which Network Rail intend to apply for next March.

In order to support the case for the special funding for replacement bridges, please can you advise any delays you have experienced waiting for the Reedham and Somerleyton swing bridges to open to the river. Did the delay cause you to miss appointments, miss events, miss the tide, or incur other costs? All events considered, with summer 2018 most relevant.  Please send details of any problems as set out below to swingbridges@thegreenbook.org.uk

Your name
Date of delay
Time
Location
Vessel
Details of delay
Consequences of delay

Thank you.

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Ramuz Trophy – 20 October 2018

The annual NSBA Inter-Club championship event is open to all affiliated organisations of NSBA.  For 2018 it is organised by Norwich Frostbite Sailing Club (NFSC) in conjunction with the Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association. It will be sailed in Norfolk One Design Dinghies provided by the organising authority on the river Yare at Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich.

Entries should be submitted by 3rd October 2018.  Link to the Notice of Race and entry form here.

Upcoming work at Horsey Staithe

The Broads Internal Drainage Board (IDB) are undertaking a 12 week major engineering project at Horsey Staithe from the 3rd September 2018, in order to replace a damaged culvert.

In January 2016 the wooden culvert which takes the IDB watercourse under Horsey boat dyke failed, allowing water from Horsey Mere to spill into the surrounding area in a dangerous and uncontrolled manner. This threatened the flood defence, the environment, as well as local infrastructure and emergency works to temperately stem the flow were carried out. Government funding has now been received, which will enable a full culvert replacement to be completed.

Why are we doing this?

The Norfolk Broads is not a landscape of chance, it is a living landscape of engineering ingenuity and skill. The work we are carrying out represents the latest in a long line of projects, which help to hold the landscape in its finely balanced structure. This is a major civil engineering project, replacing an oak box culvert from the early 1900’s, which will help maintain Horsey Mere and its surrounding landscape for the next generation.

What are we doing?

We are starting work on 3rd September, after the school summer holidays. During July and August we will mobilising our equipment onto the marsh, and starting the stockpiling of clay material, so that everything is in place to enable us to be ready to start work without any delays.

Environmental mitigation for protected species, to facilitate the works, such as vegetation cutting and monitoring by ecologists, will also start during this period.
Whilst work is being carried out no public or private moorings will be available, as in order to rebuild the culvert we will need to put sheet piles across Horsey Staithe, cutting off the access. To compensate for this, we are installing 50m of linear pontoons to create temporary moorings for use by all, including Ross’ Wildlife Boat Trips, who will have a dedicated mooring.

We will also be diverting the footpath to enable people to access the area with minimal disturbance.

Local footpaths and access will be affected during works, with footpath diversions and closures in place from 3rd September. Road access will not be impacted and by using the pontoons visitors will still have access to Horsey Mere and the businesses within it.

Temporary Moorings
The floating pontoons are made from high molecular weight polyethylene with an anti slip surface. Each square metre provides 350kg of buoyancy with a safe working load of 175kg – a correctly configured installation will support a tank!

Horsey Mill
We are working closely with the National Trust to ensure Horsey Mill and the visitor centre and tea room will not be affected by works being carried out.

© Rodney Burton

For enquires regarding day to day works please contact:
Roy Howarth – roy.howarth@BAMNuttall.co.uk

For project enquires please contact:
Matthew Philpot – matthew@wlma.org.uk

Breydon Bridge – shallows

A shallow area has built up in the channel at the entrance of the southern span of Breydon Bridge (which would normally be used when leaving Breydon).  This effects deep drafted vessels around the time of low water only.  These vessels are advised to use the centre span of Breydon Bridge around low water until further notice.  Please note the centre span is 0.5m lower than the side spans which the gauge boards are set to.  Please plan your journey accordingly. The centre and northern spans are not affected. Bridge lifts can be requested as normal.  For further information please contact Broads Control on 01603 756056.

Somerleyton Swing Bridge – Trial Water Spraying

Officers of the Broads Authority and Network Rail have been meeting regularly over a long period to discuss the significant problems that arise for boat owners when the two swing bridges at Reedham and Somerleyton are unable to open in very hot weather as a result of the thermal expansion of the rails.

One of the potential short term measures considered was to cool the rails by spraying water on them. There is no fresh water at Somerleyton and the engineers have concerns about the impact of using semi-saline water on the bridge structure.

However, given the current very high temperatures, the company is going to pump water out of the river onto the Somerleyton bridge for the next two weekends as a trial in an effort to keep it operational. Boat owners should therefore be aware that water drawn from the river will be cascading off the bridge back into the river.

Network Rail is doing its best to obtain the necessary equipment so that water spraying can commence this weekend (30 June – 01 July).

As of 2 July the Broads Authority has been informed that Somerleyton Swing Bridge is operating again.

 

Mutford Lock road bridge closed

 

Urgent Boating News – Following an accident, the road bridge at Mutford lock cannot be opened and they are awaiting engineers to assess and for Suffolk Highways  to arrange temporary Traffic Management.

Only vessels of minimal air draft will be able to pass through Mutford Lock. Please contact Mutford Lock for further advice.

 

Wanted: New Green Book Organiser

NSBA Green Book Organiser, 2018

Dredging work around Horning – from 24 April

As part of the 2018/19 planned dredging programme dredging is due to start on the River Bure 300 metres upstream of Horning Swan.  This work will start on Tuesday 24 April 2018, various sections will be dredged between Horning Swan corner and Cockshoot Dyke.  Please be aware of manoeuvring vessels at the dredge site and at the offload site at Horning Hall, this is 500 metres upstream of the mouth of the River Ant.  If you require more information in relation to this work phone Tim Lamb 07771676074.

Lowestoft Harbour Survey – from 26 April 2018

Mariners and Port Users are advised that survey work is scheduled to commence on 26/04/2018 in the Outer Bridge Channel, and in the RN&SYC basin.

The work will be undertaken by the 8.9 m catamaran Eagle, with the survey equipment on a short tow, operating at a speed of between 0 & 4 knots. The vessel will monitor VHF Ch.14.

Other vessels are requested to afford the works a wide berth, and pass the areas at slow speed to reduce vessel wash.

Works are expected to take approximately 10 days to complete, weather permitting.

Please contact Lowestoft Port Control, VHF Ch14, or Tel. 01502 572286, if further information is required.

 

River Chet – missing warning sign

The sign at the mouth of the River Chet warning of dredging works is currently missing.

Please proceed with caution as navigation is restricted and be aware that delays of up to 2 hours may occur.