Bridge to close for £2.3m repairs

The A12 Bascule Bridge in Suffolk is to close from Saturday night to Tuesday morning for four weeks from the 20 October, it has been announced.

The Highways Agency says the closure of the bridge in Lowestoft is part of its £2.3m maintenance scheme.

The agency has arranged for alternative means of transport to ensure that Lowestoft remains open for business during the closures.

The agency want to minimise disruption during the "essential" work.

Bascule Bridge users are asked to consider alternative modes of travel such as public transport, walking or cycling during the closures.

The following alternatives will be in place:

A temporary footbridge will be installed next to the Bascule Bridge to allow pedestrians, the disabled, and dismounted cyclists to cross Lake Lothing

Free car parking will be provided on the site of the former rifle range at Pakefield. A free shuttle bus service from the car park to the south side of the temporary footbridge will operate between 0700 GMT and 1900 GMT

Additional pay and display car parking will be available at Marine Parade

Free car parking will be available at Beccles Airfield. A free shuttle bus will run between the car park and Beccles railway station.

The Bascule Bridge closures will be in place from 2000 GMT to 0600 GMT. The dates are: 20 October to 23 October, 27 October to 30 October, 3 November to 6 November, 17 November to 20 November and 1 December to 4 December.

Roger Chenery, of the Highways Agency, said: "Work on the bridge is progressing well and is on target to finish in January 2008."