Herring Bridge provides a much-needed third crossing over the River Yare, linking the port area with the important A47 highway. Image courtesy of BAM Farrans JV.
Summary
Roughan & O’Donovan (ROD) led the detailed design of this “nationally significant infrastructure project” on behalf of BAM Farrans, a joint venture between BAM UK & Ireland and Farrans Construction. Our design partners were H&H, who provide global expertise in moveable bridges, and Norfolk-based architecture firm, Lanpro.
The £121m twin leaf bascule bridge is the town’s third crossing of the River Yare and enhances the port’s reputation as both an international gateway and a major UK offshore renewable energy, oil, and gas base. It is transforming travel across the town, connecting communities on either side of the harbour, easing traffic congestion, shortening journey times, and improving journey reliability.
BAM Farrans JV started construction in January 2021.
The scheme opened to traffic on 1 February 2024.
Awards
Platinum Award - Structural Systems
ACEC New York Engineering Excellence Awards 2025
Overseas Award
ACEI Engineering Excellence Awards 2025
Road Bridge Project of the Year
New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2024
Major Project Award and Special Merit Award
Highways Awards 2024
Highly Commended - Transport Project of the Year
British Construction Industry Awards 2024
GB & ROI Construction Project of the Year above £100m
Construction Employers Federation Awards 2024
Approach
ROD was involved in the project from 2018, providing a broad range of multidisciplinary engineering services to our client, including bridge, structural, highways, geotechnical, environmental, and drainage design.
We worked with multiple stakeholders across the project, and our collaborative engagement with the contractor was crucial to overcoming the many challenges this complex design and build scheme presented.
Herring Bridge opens or closes within 90 seconds, 20+ times daily.
Solution
This bridge, marine and urban works scheme aims to transform travel across the town, connecting communities on either side of the harbour, easing traffic congestion, shortening journey times, and improving journey reliability.
Its main feature is a practical yet beautifully engineered 50m clear span twin bascule bridge that links the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout to the port and the enterprise zone on the east side of the river. It carries two lanes of vehicular traffic in each direction and incorporates a footpath and a cycle way to provide pedestrians and cyclists with safe passage over the water.
Additional features include:
- junctions with the A47 to the west and South Denes Road to the east
- dual carriageway approach roads with segregated cycle and pedestrian facilities
- two single span bridges
- pile-supported approach embankments
- feature landscaping on the quayside to create a new public realm
- flood protection works
Challenge
The scheme was centered in an operational marine port, with commercial and residential properties along the approaches to the river crossing. Poor soil conditions and low-lying ground added further complexity.
Services provided:
- Bridge engineering design
- Structural engineering design
- Highways engineering design
- Geotechnical
- Environmental engineering
- Drainage
- Tender design
- Temporary works
- Electrical
