Cash concerns over third crossing

Tuesday 19th January 2010
Hopes of building Great Yarmouth’s third river crossing could be delayed because money might not be available until after 2016.

The route of the 50m dual carriageway bridge between Souhtown Road and the South Denes peninsula has already been agreed.

But there is no immediate source for the £112m needed to develop the scheme which is rated only at priority B level with no regional funding available.

Norfolk County Council has so far spent £1.12m developing the scheme but might have to find national funding for it to progress.

Adrian Gunson, cabinet member for planning and transportation at County Hall, said other financing, such as tolls, would have to be considered although public reaction suggested drivers would be unwilling to pay just to ease congestion.

Alternatives included a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) or developer contributions.

Whatever the options, the council recognised that they needed to find money for the new bridge as quickly as possible.

Owners of the 35 homes in Queen Anne's Road and Southtown Road which could be demolished to make way for the bridge can ask for compensation if they cannot sell their homes once the plans have been adopted.

Other property owners who see a 15pc reduction in their property's value or face noise pollution could also have their homes bought by the council, with money from the 2010/11 budget due to be set aside for any house purchases.

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