Broads Authority Notice Latest Information

[ranworthbreeze]

Exposed damaged posts – Breydon Water, River Yare – 5 Mile bends

Breydon Water starboard hand navigation post no. 49, just before the Dickey Works, has been broken off. There is about 1 metre still exposed at average calm water high tide. A replacement Starboard hand buoy has been placed in front of it and a yellow buoy will be placed as close as possible.

Further, in the River Yare at 5 Mile Bends (the first bends with channel markers upstream of the Berney Mill moorings) the fourth and fifth starboard hand marker posts have also been damaged. The fourth has been broken below the water line and is marked with a post and yellow light behind it. The fifth is damaged but still intact – a buoy has been placed in front of it.

Oulton Broad - Mutford Lock – restricted operation

The Broads Authority has been working hard to rectify the damage to the electrical and hydraulic control systems at Mutford Lock following the flooding in December. We understand it is a high priority for users and have been doing our best to get it back into operation. The road bridge which was out of action is now fully operational.

Despite the damage to the Lock control systems it should have been possible to manually open the gates. However, as soon as one of the gates failed to open engineers were called to inspect them. Nothing was found to be visually wrong with the winding mechanism nevertheless the engineers still could not open the gate. This is most likely caused by additional debris behind the gates. A dive team carried out an inspection on Thursday 6th February and have now cleared debris which will allow limited manual operation of the lock by the arrangement with the Oulton Broad Yacht Station who can be contacted on 01502 574946.

The longer term solution to rectifying the damage to the electrical and hydraulic systems will make it more resilient to future flooding events. The replacement of the hydraulic system is expected to take 10 to 14 weeks.

Update on bridges – 6 March 2014

Trowse Bridge - Not operational (but can be opened at very restricted times, see below)

Network Rail inform us that the hydraulic jacking system has been levelled with all four jacks now lifting evenly and returning to zero for the first time. The software requires a minor change that will be carried out this week with further testing plan for Thursday and Friday this week.

Due to the fact that the bridge has been out of action for some time Network Rail have agreed that they are willing to swing the bridge manually by bringing in plant staff when required.

Due to the frequency of London trains and the time it takes to operate a swing manually the bridge can be opened on a Sunday at 09:05 and any night between 02:00 and 04:00 provided seven days' notice has been given to allow for plant staff to be on site. Openings within these times can be arranged by contacting Network Rail through their Area Incident Control Centre. This is staffed 24/7 and they will then pass on the request to the Ipswich Distribution & Plant team for a response.

tel 02079 793609

email CO-ANG-EAH-11A@networkrail.co.uk

Please find below opening times for the bridge once it becomes operational.

Mon - Fri Sat Sun

1002 0910 0905

1107 1107 1128

1406 1405 1426

1606 1608 1726

1842 1809 1926

Breydon Bridge – Not operational

The Port Authority has informed us that the bridge is not currently operational. New hydraulic parts are being sourced and they will not be available until at least week commencing 10 March 2014. Further information to follow when advised.

Oulton Broad Road Bridge – Fully operational

Oulton Broad Swing Bridge- Fully Operational

Carrow Bridge - Fully operational

Somerleyton Bridge - Fully operational

Reedham Bridge - Fully operational

Beccles Bypass Bridge - Fully operational

Vauxhall Railway Bridge - Fully operational

Haven Bridge - Fully operational

Kind regards

Angie Leeper

Asset Officer

Broads Authority, Yare House,

62 - 64 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY

tel 01603 756057

mob 07971 156076

fax 01603 756069

angie.leeper@broads-authority.gov.uk

[Liberty]

Thanks Alan.  Looking forward to Mutford being properly operational.