Major New Infrastructure Boost for the East Coast
On 24 September 2020 the Secretary of State for Transport made the Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing Development Consent Order 2020, approving a new twin-leaf lifting bridge across the River Yare at Great Yarmouth.
This project, promoted by Norfolk County Council under the NSIP regime via a section 35 direction, will deliver a £120 million infrastructure investment to the town and better connect the Port of Great Yarmouth, and its role as a renewable energy hub, to the A47 and the strategic road network. In making the DCO the Secretary of State agreed with the Examining Authority that “there is unequivocal and overwhelming high-level policy support for the Proposed Development at a national, regional, and local level”.
Michael Bedford QC, working together with Pinsent Masons, acted for Norfolk County Council in promoting the DCO from its inception through to the conclusion of the Examination. This positive decision means that both of the East Coast energy centres at Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft will see new lifting bridges coming forward under the NSIP regime to improve their connectivity and resilience in the next few years, and over £200 million being invested in new transport infrastructure. Michael also acted for Suffolk County Council in promoting the Lake Lothing Third Crossing DCO at Lowestoft which was approved by the Secretary of State in April 2020.
A copy of the Secretary of State’s decision can be found HERE.
