Norfolk Broads - The Forum - Somerleyton Bridge

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Richard

Please note the following update on the Somerleyton Bridge.

A temporary jacking system has been put in place that will assist the lifting of the Somerleyton bridge prior to slewing. Unfortunately the time taken to lift the bridge in this configuration will be longer than normal. Network Rail has informed the Authority that the bridge will be swung for 2 x 10 minute periods, Monday through Friday inclusive. The times of opening are 0955-1005 hrs and 1525-1535hrs. Network Rail is considering opening the bridge on Saturdays and Sundays but details are not yet available. The Authority has requested that the frequency of openings on Saturday and Sunday should be greater than for weekdays. Once weekend opening times become known they will be promulgated as soon as is possible. It is acknowledged that this is a temporary solution and that remedial work will still be necessary. The Broads Authority will of course request details of future work requirements and attempt to ensure the minimum of disruption to river traffic. Note that vessels that do not require the bridge to swing remain unaffected.

Regards.

Mike Rimmer

Waterways Strategy

Richard

Jul-22-2010 @ 4:58 PM

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Network Rail, the statutory operator and owner of the Somerleyton Bridge, has informed the Authority that as a result of a system failure, mitigation measures have had to be put in place that will reduce the possibility of a complete failure of the bridge swinging mechanism. The bridge will therefore be swung open for river traffic for 2 x 10 minute periods, Monday through Saturday inclusive, and for 2 x 50 minute periods on Sundays. The times of opening are: Monday through Friday inclusive 0955-1005 hrs and 1525-1535hrs; Saturday 0922 - 0932hrs and 1525-1535 hrs; Sunday 1000-1050hrs and 1600-1650hrs. This will continue until further notice. The Broads Authority is currently negotiating with Network Rail for a more flexible timetable and for a long term solution to this latest bridge failure. Note that vessels that do not require the bridge to swing are unaffected and can pass under the Bridge without hindrance.

Contact details for Network Rail are as follows: national helpline, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: 08457 11 41 41; switchboard: 020 7557 8000. Emails can be sent via the Network Rail website: www.networkrail.co.uk.

billmaxted

Jul-23-2010 @ 7:19 AM

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http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED22%20Jul%202010%2017%3A59%3A37%3A060

Bill...(The Ancient Mardler)

billmaxted

Jul-23-2010 @ 2:37 PM

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I have received this reply from the B.A. and it would seem that if you are out of pocket resulting from the bridge closure you would need to pursue the matter direct which is not very helpful unless a class action were to be brought.

Dear Mr Maxted,

Your email has been passed to me by Adrian Vernon for comment.

The Broads Authority understands the frustration that you are suffering, especially as the summer season is already upon us. We have been in very frequent contact with Network Rail and I can report that they are equally frustrated that the new bearing replacement for the Somerleyton Bridge has failed, forcing them to introduce an opening routine that is scaled to reduce wear on the second bearing and lessen the possibility of catastrophic damage with the inevitable results. Although it is likely that the current situation of very limited opening times will last for a while yet, Network Rail will continue to monitor the bridge for wear and increase the frequency of swings if they are able.

Under the 1863 Railways Act, Network Rail as the Bridge owner and operator of Trowse, Reedham and Somerleyton, is responsible for dealing with grievance in the event that a river user’s ability to navigate is interrupted. After seeking legal advice the Broads Authority is not considered a user and therefore is not able to pursue any grievance under the Act. As a consequence users such as yourself that have been stopped from navigating the Broads need to contact Network Rail and put forward your grievance to them. That said the Broads Authority is fully engaged with Network Rail and has and is putting the case of the Broads user most insistently and as frequently as possible. Network Rail has been listening and although it may not seem so sometimes it has taken our comments for action.

Updates to bridge availability are posted on the Broads Authority website which can be found on the following link: http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/urgent-boating-news.html . They are also sent out by email to a Notice to Mariner address list which enables their promulgation throughout clubs and organizations in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Should you wish to contact Network Rail their contact details are as follows: national helpline, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: 08457 11 41 41; switchboard: 020 7557 8000. Emails can be sent via the Network Rail website: www.networkrail.co.uk.

I hope that this response helps.

Regards.

Mike Rimmer

Waterways Strategy

Bill...(The Ancient Mardler)

This message was edited by billmaxted on Jul-23-10 @ 2:39 PM

osdguy

Jul-23-2010 @ 7:42 PM

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I challenge the BA stance they are not users.

quote:"......
After seeking legal advice the Broads Authority is not considered a user and therefore is not able to pursue any grievance under the Act
......."

When a BA launch is on the system it goes under the bridge. When any dredging equipment is moved it may have to go under the bridge.

Not that it makes much odds but the BA do pay tolls on their own vessels and barges and are therefore legal users of the system

regards

Marc (stinky owner & rag n stick appreciator) & Karen (rag n stick)

Charlie

Jul-23-2010 @ 10:15 PM

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Have you seen what a pathetic amount they pay on those bloomin great barges and pontoons etc. They could probably find the change down the back of the sofa to pay their tolls! Evil Grin

Charlie

Now officially a forum girly swot-25/6/10

osdguy

Jul-23-2010 @ 11:21 PM

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Charlie in this instance it matters not a jot mow much, or little, is paid on the toll; just simply the fact it is paid.

To legally use the rivers with a vessel you have to have a toll. The BA have vessels and they pay tolls to be able to legally use their vessels on the system.....therefore they are river users.

Can't see how any BA officer or legal beagle can get around that. Unless of course the BA doesn't want to be the one complaining and wants others to get the job done for them.

My own simplistic view is thus:
I pay the BA a toll fee to use the system.
This fee forms a contract between me and the BA.
The BA is also chraged with a statutory duty to maintain navigation, so as part of my toll fee they have to do this.
My contract is with the BA and not a third party (network rail), so when the ability to navigate is compromised I complain to the people I have a contract with and expect them to get redress or remedy the situation.

If I was a vessel affected then I'd be requesting a daily reduction in my toll fee AND compensation for inconvenience off the BA and not network rail. BA can then claim its losses back from network rail.

regards

Marc (stinky owner & rag n stick appreciator) & Karen (rag n stick)

Richard

Aug-11-2010 @ 5:22 PM