§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate he now makes of the life expectancy of the existing Al2 Bascule bridge at Lowestoft; and if he will make a statement; [28911]
(2) what contingency he has for moving traffic from north to south Lowestoft and vice versa, when breakdowns of the Bascule bridge of Al2 at Lowestoft occur for (a) 24 hours or less, (b) up to three days, (c) up to a month and (d) longer than a month; and if he will make a statement. [28912]
§ Mr. WattsThe Al2 Bascule bridge is now 22 years old and should continue to operate satisfactorily for many more years.
For planned maintenance closures, and in the event of a breakdown of the Bascule bridge, contingency arrangements are in place to divert local and through traffic via the A1117 Mutford Lock bridge. Associated British Ports, which operates the bridge, liaises closely with the police and Waveney district council to install diversion signing and managing traffic on the diversion route.
The Highways Agency and Suffolk county council are considering the possibility of a permanent diversion signing scheme to cater for closures of either the Al2 Bascule bridge on the A1117 Mutford Lock bridge.