COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2020

50 local employment and training opportunities

Farrans to build the Gull Wing How the Gull Wing got its name Preliminary work begins

50 local employment and training opportunities

Farrans announced as constructor

How the Gull Wing got its name Gull Wing is go!

Since the last newsletter, many significant milestones have been achieved: The bridge has been named by local school children, County Council’s Cabinet has approved the project’s final budget and approved the award of the construction contract, and archaeological work has begun on site ahead of building beginning in Spring of 2021.

With the full backing of my Cabinet, we can now get this bridge built for and for Suffolk. For every £1 that we spend on the bridge, the region will see £3 in economic benefit - that’s an incredible return.

The benefits of this bridge will be felt by the people of Lowestoft and beyond, with jobs and apprenticeships created during, and after, the construction period. Local businesses have told us that they expect to increase their turnover and employ more staff, and other companies will discover that being based in Lowestoft is an even more attractive option, with vastly improved traffic movement and access.

“Lowestoft residents have been waiting a lifetime to see the bridge become a reality, and in just a few years I hope they will be able to walk across it, we are working towards Councillor Matthew Hicks Leader of Suffolk County opening the bridge in the summer of 2023.” Council

“A Third Crossing of Lake Lothing “This is a really welcome moment has been needed for a long time now that everything has been and has been eagerly awaited by made official. With our Masterplan people and businesses in Lowestoft ambitions and being able to protect as it will bring so many benefits businesses and residents from to the local area. Covid-19 has flooding for 100 years, Lowestoft will Peter Aldous presented additional challenges, Steve Gallant be increasingly important to Suffolk Member of though it has reinforced the need Leader of East and beyond. Giving the bridge its Parliament for the Third Crossing, which will Suffolk Council name is a statement of intent for the for Waveney play a key role in ensuring an project and for the future of the town. exciting future for Lowestoft. I look We are building for our future, so it is forward to continuing to work with entirely appropriate that the bridge and all other has been named by our younger interested parties to make the most residents.” of this great opportunity.”

2 > Gull Wing Lowestoft Preliminary work begins on Lowestoft’s Gull Wing

Preparations for Lowestoft’s new A council spokesperson said: Gull Wing bridge have started with “We are undertaking this an archaeological survey. archaeological work at the earliest Now that Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet has given possible stage, so that we give the final green light for the project, Suffolk-based company, Archaeological Solutions Ltd, is digging trial ourselves plenty of time to manage trenches to find out if there are any archaeological anything that might be discovered. remains relating to activity on the river’s edge. This means that we can keep to our There are deep layers of more recent material beneath timetable of beginning construction the current site surface, which was bought in to level work in Spring 2021.” the site. An archaeological survey of the site is a formal requirement before any works on the main construction can start. The council’s own Archaeology Service will Farrans to oversee the works to ensure that the site is properly build the mapped and any finds are recorded. Gull Wing

Suffolk County Council has announced that leading “The Gull Wing bridge will offer in excess of 50 building and civil engineering contractor, Farrans, has employment and training opportunities for the local been appointed to construct the Gull Wing. More than area through ourselves and our supply chain to leave 50 local employment and training opportunities will be a lasting legacy within Suffolk. In the last 20 years we created by Farrans and the wider supply chain. have completed 24 projects for Suffolk County Council, including Lowestoft North Fire Station and Lowestoft Jonny Kerr, operations director for Farrans’ South Fire Station.” Civil Engineering Division, said: “We will of course be building the bridge, but our “We’re delighted to be involved with presence in Lowestoft will be much more than that. We will be working with local schools to involve children the Gull Wing, which is going to mean in the project and launching apprenticeships for local a great deal to the local community. It people. is even more exciting to be working on “I’m also hoping that we will receive interest from such an iconic structure.” plenty of local and regional businesses, to be part of the supply chain to construct the Gull Wing.”

Gull Wing Lowestoft < 3 How the Gull Wing got its name COMMUNITY Following a competition across all local schools in the area, Somerleyton Primary NEWSLETTER School pupils including Jack and Hayden (pictured) thought up the name, Gull Wing. OCTOBER 2020 Local children submitted many ideas, with 22 being presented to a panel of representatives from the town, district and county councils and local organisations, led by Peter Aldous MP.

Headteacher, Louise Spall, explains the children’s thinking behind the name: 50 local employment and “The children wanted to come up with a name which reflected living by the seaside, but they also thought that the shape of bridge was really interesting. The V-shape of the new bridge looks like a bird’s wings and, of course, what training opportunities seaside town is complete without gulls!

“They are really excited that their name is going to be part of Lowestoft’s history, it is something they can be proud of and tell their children in years to come.” Farrans to build the Gull Wing

“We’d like to thank all the children who gave their suggestions, there were How the Gull Wing got its name some really interesting choices and clearly a lot of thought had gone into them.

“When we all looked at the list, Gull Wing jumped out at us straight away. We were looking for a name with a local context which had some meaning to it, Preliminary work begins but which would also be snappy and descriptive so people will use it.

“Many congratulations to the pupils from Somerleyton Primary School. When the bridge is open, they will be able to walk and cycle over it, knowing that they gave it its name. And who knows, when they are Peter Aldous older, maybe drive their electric car over it too!” Member of Parliament for Waveney

FIND OUT Email: [email protected] MORE Web: www.suffolk.gov.uk/gullwing Call: 0345 606 6171 (open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm)

50 local employment and training opportunities

Farrans announced as constructor

How the Gull Wing got its name