Century-old bridge could get £10m repair cash

A river crossing that is more than 100 years old could get £10m for repairs after a council made a bid for government funding.

Carrow Bridge in Norwich provides a key route into the city and is used by about 30,000 vehicles and pedestrians a day, Norfolk County Council said.

The authority has now submitted a bid for the money to the Department for Transport (DfT), which would support a repair programme.

Tom Dickerson, Reform UK cabinet member for highways and transport, said securing the investment would remove a "maintenance headache".

However, Dickerson warned there was "no guarantee" the money would be secured, as the DfT's structures fund was heavily oversubscribed.

There has been a bridge over the River Wensum, near Norwich City's stadium, since the early 18th Century, but the current one was built in 1923.

It has mechanisms allowing it to lift in order for boats to pass under it, meaning it requires regular maintenance to ensure it still operates.

These days, very few large vessels travel this far up the river, but the council has a legal duty under the Norwich Corporation Act 1920 to maintain and operate the bridge's raising mechanisms.

More stories from Norfolk

• Lidl set to beat Aldi in race for town supermarket
• New machine could be part of council pothole push
• Ted Lasso mimics Delia's 'let's be having you' rant

Dickerson added: "This bridge has served as a vital link for the city centre, the railway station and to get out on to the A47.

"If we get this money, we will be able to resurface the deck and repair all the mechanical mechanisms.

"It will also reduce the maintenance work and stop further delays."

The DfT would review the funding bid before making a decision at a later date.

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.