Long-awaited Third Crossing dream dates back 100 years

Plans for a Third Crossing over Lake Lothing were first mooted more than 100 years ago at the end of World War I.

Waveney MP Bob Blizzard with a map of the proposed third river crossing at Lowestoft.Photo: Andy DarnellCopy: Hayley MaceFor: EDPArchant © 2009 (01603) 772434 - Credit: Archant © 2009

In 2007, The Lowestoft Journal joined more than 10,000 signatures backing a petition organised by then Waveney-MP Bob Blizzard to build the long-awaited bridge.

Ahead of the 2010 General Election, Gordon Brown visited the town to show his support for the campaign, a situation which was mirrored in Ed Miliband and David Cameron’s visits five years later, the latter promising the crossing by 2020.

Suffolk County Council released plans for the bridge in August 2017, inspired by the town’s wind turbine, before a formal planning application was lodged in July 2018 to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

The crossing would link from Waveney Drive on the south side, to Denmark Road and Peto Way on the north side, and would be higher than the bascule bridge, meaning more boats can pass underneath without the bridge being lifted.

READ MORE: Lowestoft’s Third Crossing approved by Government

Waveney MP Peter Aldous said: “When it takes so long to get to this stage, people can start to feel a bit negative with a glass-half-empty approach, and the last six months have been incredibly frustrating.

“It has been quite a journey for me, from George Osborne providing funding in 2014 to work up plans to David Cameron pledging to get it built in 2015, but also for so many people it is something that has been talked about for 100 years.

“A lot of people have had doubts but to get to this stage is a very important milestone and a big step forward.

“When we are through Covid-19, there will be a vital need to rebuild local economies around the country and this is a foundation stone to build a very exciting future for Lowestoft.”