What has happened?
The Bailey Bridge was closed by Suffolk Highways and Suffolk County Council (SCC) on 3 October. This action was taken without any consultation or warning to the local authorities in Walberswick or Southwold. Its abrupt closure, with no planning for its impact nor when and how it could be reopened, was quickly condemned by the WPC and Southwold Town Council, with support from SCDC District Councillor Michael Gower and Waveney Councillor, David Beavan. As word quickly got out, others expressed their dismay to SCC including the WCLC, business owners and residents. As a result of this outcry, SCC agreed to subsidise the running of the Rowing Ferry for some 2 weeks. Dani and her heroic crew have been amazing in getting the service going from 9 to 5.30 each day. They have been carrying some 400+ to 500+ passengers each day.
The WPC arranged for Cllr Richard Smith, who represents Walberswick at the SCC and is also in charge of the Highways Portfolio for SCC, to attend the WPC meeting on Monday, 8 October. An explanation of the reason for the closing was given (see more on this below). At the same time, it was clear that there had been no planning for repairs nor reopening the bridge. It was confirmed at a subsequent meeting that the reopening date of April 2019, posted on some of the closure signs, was baseless.
Simultaneously, Suffolk Highways and SCC arranged to have a meeting on 10 October with the local authorities (including the Waveney and SCDC Councillors for Walberswick and Southwold, WPC Chairman, Southwold Mayor, Harbour Master, Reydon/Blyth Estuary representatives) along with other key stakeholders. Suffolk Highways produced a Press Release following that meeting which is provided as a separate posting on the Walberswick website.
Details that are not included in the Press Release
Why was the bridge closed? Suffolk Highways hired a large engineering firm, AECOM, to do an inspection of the bridge. We were told that Suffolk Highways has done other inspections. This included a principle inspection in 2015 as part of a routine 6-yearly inspection and that because corrosion was identified in that report, another interim inspection was scheduled for after 3 years, hence the 2018 inspection. We were told that there had been a quick inspection prior to this one earlier in 2018 that did not point up issues of strong concern. Despite the 2015 findings, Suffolk Highways and SCC took no corrective action except to hire consultant engineers for more inspections that has, presumably, led to the situation we are in today. In end September, AECOM provided a 3 page précis to Suffolk Highways that warned of two dangers. The first related to the possibility of the deck plates shifting, with the possibility of a trip and foot entrapment hazard, as a result of the corrosion of stringer beams under the plates. The second hazard related to the condition of a wooden cross beam and bolt connections that could impact the bridge’s stability. At the meeting on 10 October, Suffolk Highways confirmed that the bridge was not in imminent danger of collapsing or tipping someone into the river, but rather that the potential danger of the shifting deck plates was severe enough to warrant the closure until AECOM provided to Suffolk Highways the full report. Those that know the Bailey Bridge well continue to question this assessment, but Suffolk Highways will not re-consider the closing until it receives the next report from its consultant engineers. At the meeting on 10 October, it was agreed that the report should be expedited and, as shown in the Press Release, Suffolk Highways has committed to a 2-3 week time scale.
What can be done? There are almost certainly sensible, cost-effective and relatively quick solutions to the safety issues identified that could ensure that the bridge can be repaired and reopened. The local authorities and stakeholders are all asking Suffolk Highways and SCC to make use of local knowledge of the bridge and the river, including locally based engineers and builders, in coming to conclusions on the bridge’s safety, risks and potential repairs. Whether these solutions will be followed will become clearer when the group meets again in approximately 2 weeks as noted in the Press Release.
What is the Bottom Line? The meeting on 10 October did bring some progress. As you will see in the Press Release, more certainty about the running of the Ferry was established. SCC also agreed to make available support for people with exceptional problems in getting across the river on the Ferry either because of timing or mobility issues. Please see the Press Release from Suffolk Highways for full details. Certainly, it is our view that until the bridge is reopened, there must be arrangements in place to keep a 7 day a week service as a stop gap measure.
Suffolk Highways and SCC also heard clearly that the Bailey Bridge is essential to the lives of Walberswick and Southwold residents and to our economy, as well as for our visitors who are critical for the survival of jobs and businesses on both sides of the river. In recognition of this, as set out in the Press Release, Suffolk Highways and SCC has committed to “consider all possible remedial solutions for the bridge, whether temporary, interim or long-term.” WPC, along with all the local authorities and stakeholders, are united on what must happen — the bridge reopened quickly. This is for the reasons that we all know well — the current 10,000+ crossings each month, the absolute dependence on the bridge traffic for Walberswick and Harbour businesses, and the intimate and inseparable connections of families, friends, healthcare, childcare, schools, shopping, tourism and recreation between Southwold and Walberswick which the Bailey Bridge makes possible. Nothing can substitute for it and this vital artery must be fixed and reopened.