A public meeting is to be held to give Lowestoft residents a chance to have their say about the options available for a third crossing in the town.

Engineering consultants WSP have already published a report which outlines three options for a new road crossing to be built over Lake Lothing.

The firm has recommended a crossing in an eastern location, next to the existing Bascule bridge, as a the most cost effective and appropriate option.

But many residents and political campaigners - including Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Waveney, Bob Blizzard - have criticised that recommendation, saying a central option is what most people want.

Suffolk County Council has organised the meeting to take place at the main conference room at Orbis Energy, in Lowestoft, at 7pm on Wednesday, February 18 to present the findings of the report and discuss the choices available 'fully and openly'.

Councillor Mark Bee, leader of Suffolk County Council, said: 'With so many people sharing and expressing a keen interest in achieving a third crossing for Lake Lothing, it is essential that we hold a public meeting where we can discuss the options fully and openly.

'The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the report that independent engineers WSP produced as a result of thorough studies into proposed crossing options, and to hear the views of the people of Lowestoft.

'The issues we are seeking to resolve are traffic congestion and flood protection and we are determined to do so as quickly as possible, in the most appropriate manner.'

The meeting will be chaired by Waveney MP Peter Aldous, who will be accompanied by Mr Bee.

A representative from WSP will present and discuss the report.

Other representatives confirmed to attend include Councillor Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for roads and transport, and Councillor Colin Law, who is leader of Waveney District Council.

In a letter published in last week's Journal, Mr Bee also sought to reassure about the purpose of any new bridge amid claims from Mr Blizzard that the Bascule bridge would be ultimately demolished if the crossing is eventually built in an eastern location.

'I can assure everyone that any new bridge across Lake Lothing would not be built as a replacement for the existing Bascule Bridge,' he said.

'The report produced by WSP clearly indicates this fact.'

The report can be read at www.suffolk.gov.uk/environment-and-transport/Transport/Transport-Planning/consultations-and-studies/

What do you think? Write, giving your full contact details, to: Journal Postbox, 147 London Road North, Lowestoft NR32 1NB or email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk