Crunch meeting to discuss bridge

A crunch meeting to discuss ambitious plans to restore Great Yarmouth's grade II listed eyesore Vauxhall Bridge is to be held next month.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will be sounded out on providing major funding to help fully restore the dilapidated bridge, which is a key gateway to the town.

Although other funding revenues have been secured or are being examined for the proposed work, support from the HLF is vital to the plans to breathe fresh life into the Fairbarn type box girder bridge.

So far �300,000 has been earmarked for the restoration work by Norfolk County Council which could see the bridge fully restored as a pedestrian, bus and taxi route.

Next month the provider of the �300,000 - Yarmouth's Fairshare panel - will meet with HLF officials to try to prise a major grant from the organisation.

The Fairshare panel, which is run through Community Connections, will have to show that the Vauxhall bridge work should be funded instead of other national projects as it is an important part of Yarmouth's rich heritage.

Vauxhall Bridge is one of the few examples of a 19th century bridge that has been strengthened by adding arched ribs and vertical iron rods.

The Fairshare panel bid is being strongly supported by County Hall.

John Drinkill from the Fairshare panel said: “We know that this area of Yarmouth has changed out of all recognition over the years and the bridge itself played an important part in the commercial life of the town.

“With proper interpretation a restored bridge will not only provide a vastly improved gateway into the town, it will also help people to understand some of the developments and changes that have created the Yarmouth of today.”

It is believed the project costs could run into seven figures.

Other sources of funding are being sought from Natural England's Big Lottery Access to Nature and National Coastal Route funds and from Europe.