New second River Orwell Crossing (Bridge)

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Mel

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On the local news last night they made a strong point that during high winds the existing A14 Bridge closes as large lorries have problems. So getting to Felixstowe only leaves them with one choice - through Ipswich. That then gridlocks Ipswich so a second crossing will solve this.

If high winds are the main problem then that implies that the new bridge will have be low/ out of the wind !

I guess they will have to stop yachts using Debbage's and the Ipswich Docks as clearance for a yacht mast and low bridges do not mix !

It will be interesting to see how the artistic Architects deal with this practical aspect,
 
Crossing doesn't exclude a tunnel although sadly that doesn't seem to be on the agenda in this case. Returning to the Ijsellmeer from Sneek last summer, I was amazed to find that one major road bridge and one rail bridge across the canal, shown on my previous year's chart, had been re routed under the canal, eliminating the delays for both land and water transport by removing theopening bridges.
 
Mel said:
On the local news last night they made a strong point that during high winds the existing A14 Bridge closes as large lorries have problems. So getting to Felixstowe only leaves them with one choice - through Ipswich. That then gridlocks Ipswich so a second crossing will solve this.

If high winds are the main problem then that implies that the new bridge will have be low/ out of the wind !

I guess they will have to stop yachts using Debbage's and the Ipswich Docks as clearance for a yacht mast and low bridges do not mix !

It will be interesting to see how the artistic Architects deal with this practical aspect,
Click to expand...

The bridge could have high sides .... simples
 
I found this memo regarding mast heights. It does seem an exercise in vagueness, in several places explaining that the data is assumed and needs to be checked. However it does indicate that yacht masts are being considered sensibly.
B-2-2-Ipswich-yacht-mast-height-memo-v0.pdf
 
I do not think that a high sided bridge would be a simple matter. Apart from the look of the thing the windage loads on the structure would be a big problem and cost
 
As they are coming to the end of Crossrail, why not just move the whole kit and caboodle up the coast a bit, all the machines and Engineers ready and waiting, to bore a tunnel.
Too logical ?
 
essexboy said:
As they are coming to the end of Crossrail, why not just move the whole kit and caboodle up the coast a bit, all the machines and Engineers ready and waiting, to bore a tunnel.
Too logical ?
Click to expand...
Too late they are already booked for the new Thames crossing, maybe coming through your street;)
 
The intellegent solution is a tunnel between Harwich and Felixstowe...
But that will never happen because the public sector in the UK is stupid.
 
Last edited:
Tomahawk said:
The intellegent solution is a tunnel between Harwich and Felixstowe...
But that will never happen because the public sector in the UK is stupid.
Click to expand...

They would have to do something about the A120 though.
It is true that in Holland and other countries they use tunnels a lot for river crossings, more expensive initially perhaps but less liable to interruption, altho' accidents or especially vehicle fires in a tunnel don't bear thinking about.
 
I am the Eastern Region Planning and Environment Coordinator for the RYA and received and email today and I quote......

we are proposing to establish a Navigation Working Group to explore, through a series of meetings, how the scheme can respond to your concerns. The first meeting of this Group will be at 10am – 1pm on 11th May 2017.

Its by invitation only so I'll attend and put the case for a bridge sufficiently high to allow us all to access the wet dock. after all if they have to open it up for too many yachts that will defeat the object of improved traffic flow. And as I understand it the MD of Spirit Yachts is already a consultee so the posh people are putting their clout behind us average yotties!
 
Hi Bob,

Sean McMillan at Spirit Yachts may well sell to posh people, but he also provides direct employment for a good number of hardworking shipwrights and secondary employment to local sailmakers riggers, marine engineers etc. His business is well worth protecting imho.

Peter
 
It was a light hearted comment - I've actually spoken to Sean - and I for one am glad that we have a major local employer with an international reputation on board to supplement the requests of common or garden leisure sailors like us. The business is worth protecting and that may well have an influence on the design. As I understand from the information so far, the bridge will have sufficient clearance for most yachts and only the very largest of boats will need a bridge lift. Add to Spirit Yachts, the ABP interests and the Council's avowed intention to protect the waterfront as a commercial and social asset to Ipswich and there is a lot riding on a good design with adequate clearance. We do need to make sure that Sir Norman Foster (wobbly bridges a speciality) understands the needs of sailors. Personally I've always found architects value form over function and I'd hate aesthetics to dictate an unsatisfactory solution.
 
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