A14: Bridges

(asked on 17th January 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to improve wind shielding on the Orwell Bridge in Suffolk; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
George Freeman Portrait
George Freeman
This question was answered on 24th January 2020

Highways England has no current plans to improve wind shielding on the Orwell Bridge. Any introduction of new features would have loading implications for the structure, which is 1287 meters long.

Highways England is aware of the impact any closure of the Orwell Bridge has during high winds. Any decision to close it is not taken lightly and is made on safety grounds alone.

Highways England commissioned a study in October 2018 which will help determine whether the current closure threshold is appropriate. It has meetings planned with business partners and stakeholders later this month to present and discuss its findings and next steps. The study will then be published on Highways England’s website.

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