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Princess Anne officially opens £146m town bridge

Jamie Niblock/BBC Princess Anne is pictured looking at a sign detailing the name of the bridge and the date she unveiled it. She has short dark hair and is wearing a red top with a red scarf and cream coat.Jamie Niblock/BBC
PA Media Princess Anne fronts a small group of people as they walk along Lowestoft's new Gull Wing bridge. She is talking to a gentleman next to her and using her hand to demonstrate an action.PA Media
Princess Anne arrived into Lowestoft via helicopter before she officially opened the Gull Wing Bridge
She was walked along the new bridge by members of Suffolk County Council and other officials

Residents gathered to watch the Princess Royal officially open a £146m bridge that has been years in the making.

Princess Anne travelled to Lowestoft, Suffolk, via helicopter to open the Gull Wing Bridge - a new crossing over Lake Lothing.

She met members of Suffolk County Council and people involved in the building of the bridge, before she opened it at the press of a button.

A plaque was also unveiled at the base of the bridge's control tower, detailing its official opening date.

Construction on the Gull Wing Bridge began in 2021 and saw several delays over the years.

It opened to pedestrians and vehicles on 7 September, with many motorists honking their horns as they crossed the structure.

The bridge is the largest of its kind, with the bascule span being 39.5m (130ft) long, 22m (72ft) wide and 35m (115ft) tall.

It is the third crossing in Lowestoft and sits clear of the highest tide by 12m (39ft).

The total cost of the bridge, which is expected to last 120 years, is still not known, but the council expects it to come in at £146m.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron first announced funding of £74m for the bridge back in March 2016.

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