Lowestoft certainly does come to a standstill every time the current bridge is lifted.And that seems to be quite a frequent occurrence from what we've seen. I can well understand that folk who live there must find it extremely irritating. We've sat in queues of traffic there most weekends that we visit.
The only alternative, as far as I know, of going via Oulton Broad, seems to be equally bad if not worse. Always seems to be clogged up - the last time we attempted to get there we abandoned our efforts and turned round. So for those whose everyday life means getting backwards and forwards across the river I would think they would feel that this is very much needed.
Drove past an area a couple of weeks ago that had a sign saying that the land had been acquired for this project. I'm sure it will be a long time coming to fruition but it seems to be needed.
Much as I love the Broads and the rivers, and see the equal frustration of boaters needing the bridges swung at Reedham and Somerleyton, does anyone have to get to and from work or school by passing under these bridges twice a day in a boat too high to do so without them being swung? There's always competition for funding and East Anglia often seems to lose out to other parts of the country in terms of infrastructure so if new bridges at Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth go ahead, then that's something to celebrate!