Great Yarmouth third crossing leaf section put into place

The operators of a giant crane could be forgiven for feeling slightly nervous as they lifted a multimillion-pound section of a bridge into its place over a Great Yarmouth river.

Today saw a vital stage of the £121m third river crossing project as the first leaf section was positioned by a Dutch crane, the Matador 3.

As engineers watched the section of the bridge settle into its new home the occasion was hailed as a "huge moment" for the town.

Councillor Graham Plant said it was a huge day for the town (Image: Bruno Brown)

Watching on was Graham Plant, mayor of the town and deputy leader of Norfolk County Council, who said: "Today is a good day with the first leaf being installed.

"Yarmouth will have a great new facility which will ease traffic and invite investment for the benefit of the local economy.

"A catalyst like this bridge is a springboard for many other jobs and projects to go on, it is a huge moment for the town."

Last month work was halted on the bridge after workers discovered a 250kg Second World War bomb, which detonated as army experts worked to defuse it.

The bomb exploded in Great Yarmouth (Image Norfolk Constabulary) (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Also present was Malcolm McAllister, community engagement manager for BAM Farrans, the joint venture contractor delivering the scheme on behalf of Norfolk County Council.

He said: "The incident with the bomb had the potential to jeopardise the bridge installation but our team has worked tremendously hard to ensure we remain on track.

"It fills me with pride, a real sense of achievement, seeing it from development to now is just amazing."

Onlookers happily watching the bridge being positioned (Image: Sonya Duncan)

READ MORE: Watch the moment WW2 bomb explodes

Hundreds of members of the public gathered in the viewing areas on either side of the River Yare to watch the historic moment.

The Western leaf of the bridge is to be installed tomorrow.

It is hoped the bridge will be open to traffic by the summer.

After a public vote, the new bridge is to be named Herring Bridge.

When the bridge was first lifted off the barge that carried it in from Antwerp (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The Herring Bridge's second leaf bascule being tugged down the River Yare. Picture - Luke Martin Photography (Image Luke Martin Photography) (Image: Luke Martin Photography)

The second bridge leaf for Great Yarmouth's third river crossing arrived on Saturday. Picture - Luke Martin Photography (Image Luke Martin Photography) (Image: Luke Martin Photography)

Take off as the bridge is lifted from the barge (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The first leaf section of the bridge dangling (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The bridge being lowered into position (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The bridge nicely slotted in (Image: Sonya Duncan)