Please note that Network Rail has published further changes to the opening times of the Somerleyton Bridge that will be effective throughout the period Monday 16 August to Friday 22 October. They include an additional opening period for Mondays thru’ Fridays inclusive and an increase in the time for each of the 2 openings on Sundays. To mitigate the possibility of a complete failure of the bridge mechanism boaters must request the bridge to open at or before the prescribed opening times. This can be achieved by making a call on VHF Channel 12, using a horn or other loud sound signal,  using visual signals. The opening time changes will be publicised through local press and radio stations by Network Rail. Details of the new times are also available on the Broads Authority web-site under “Urgent Boating News” and are duplicated below for ease of reference:    

Monday to Friday: 1005 to 1015, 1530 to 1540 and 1840 to 1850

Saturday: 0930 to 0940 and 1530 to 1540  

Sunday: 1010 to 1110 and 1610 to 1710

22nd July - Network Rail, the statutory operator and owner of the Somerleyton Bridge, has informed the Authority that as a result of a system failure, mitigation measures have had to be put in place that will reduce the possibility of a complete failure of the bridge swinging mechanism. The bridge will therefore be swung open for river traffic for 2 x 10 minute periods, Monday through Saturday inclusive, and for 2 x 50 minute periods on Sundays.

The times of opening are: Monday through Friday inclusive 0955-1005 hrs and 1525-1535hrs; Saturday 0922 - 0932hrs and 1525-1535 hrs; Sunday 1000-1050hrs and 1600-1650hrs. This will continue until further notice. The Broads Authority is currently negotiating with Network Rail for a more flexible timetable and for a long term solution to this latest bridge failure.

Note that vessels that do not require the bridge to swing are unaffected and can pass under the Bridge without hindrance.

Contact details for Network Rail are as follows: national helpline, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: 08457 11 41 41; switchboard: 020 7557 8000. Emails can be sent via the Network Rail website: www.networkrail.co.uk.

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14th July - Network Rail has just informed the Broads Authority that the Somerleyton Bridge has had to be closed. This follows an alert from one of the Network Rail Bridge operators which resulted in an engineering test swing this morning which showed that a motor was drawing far too much current whilst operating the Bridge and had to be shut down pending further investigation.

A Network Rail team comprising structural engineers, plant engineers and engineering contractors are scheduled to conduct the investigation on Friday 16 July. To ensure that further damage is not caused to the bridge, operation was suspended at 1035 hours today (14th) and will remain so until at least the conclusion of the inspection on Friday. River passage to low vessels that are normally able to pass under the bridge will not be affected.

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9th July - according to the EDP, Somerleyton Swing Bridge is now repaired

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Network Rail, who are responsible for the maintenance of the Somerleyton swing-bridge, have issued an update to a plan for repair work. The bridge has a broken pivot bearing assembly which requires the manufacture and fitting of a new one. A trial swing of the bridge is scheduled for 2 July 2010. Should this not be achieved a final date of 15 July 2010 has been set for the work to be complete. It is therefore anticipated that the bridge will be open for normal business at some point between 2-15 July. The Broads Authority has re-iterated the urgency of situation to Network Rail and will remain in regular contact with them.

Now on sale from Margaret Kilner at all club events (and some that aren't!)

Price held at £10

The Broads Authority Act 2009 includes provisions enabling the Authority to regulate waterskiing and wakeboarding. They include a power to designate, to amend or revoke zones within the Authority’s navigation area where these activities will be permitted. At its meeting on 17 September 2010 the Authority will consider a proposal to pass a resolution that certain zones where and times when these activities are currently permitted by virtue of the Authority’s resolution on the 22 January 2010 be amended to apply after 1st April 2011.

The effect of the proposed resolution will be to vary where and when waterskiing and wakeboarding may take place. In addition from 1 April 2011 it is proposed that a trial be allowed for a period of 1 year for a form of wakeboarding including manoeuvres and momentarily leaving the surface of the water. The trial will be limited to 6 concurrent wake boarders in each of two zones on the River Yare zones numbered 3 (Between Beauchamp and Cantley) and 5 (Between the New Cut and Upper Seven Mile House) in the Schedule. Waterskiing and Wakeboarding activities may only take place in accordance with a permit to be issued by the Authority. These permits will be subject to conditions intended to minimise the risk to other users of the navigation area and the disturbance to the Broads.

Following extensive survey work by BA Navigation Rangers dragging the river with chains, grappling hooks and latterly with the Environment Agency Fisheries Officers using advanced surveying equipment, all known underwater obstructions from St Benet's through to Thurne Mouth adjacent to the North bank have been identified and removed by both BA River Works Team and BESL.

All hazard marker buoys and channel marker buoys have now also been removed from this area.

Following a report an additional hazard was identified and removed from the point at Thurne mouth on the South Bank.

Whilst it is believed that all identified underwater obstructions have been removed please notify Broads Control on 01603 756056 if any further incidents occur.

Painting Works On Carrow Road Bridge

Essential maintenance work that will include the replacement of the wooden deck and footway panels and the re-painting of the cantilever footway support will take place between 21 June 2010 and 22 July 2010. The cladding of the bridge with associated scaffolding will decrease the available headroom to 2.74 metres (9 feet) at high water medium tide. Note that the bridge will not be able to open until the scaffolding has been cleared. Works, such as the erection of the scaffolding and washing of the steelwork may temporarily affect river traffic. Vessel Masters are advised to exercise extreme caution and obey any signals or signs from the works team as may be deemed necessary.

I am very sad to report that Gordon Winterton, our president, died on the morning of December 17th. Our thoughts and sympathy go to his family, especially Rosie and Jonathan.

I first remember him from the 1950’s when I was introduced to the Broads. I was in awe of him then, but quickly came to realise that he was a true friend. He was always helpful, good humoured and sometimes funny, but never malevolent. Until lately, when ill health started to take its toll, he was an almost permanent fixture on his beloved Force Four during club cruises. Many of us will have memories of his bluff charm when dealing with schoolboys and his robust humour in tricky situations. He had a great influence on many of us either directly or indirectly through his staunch membership and support of both our club and the Green Wyvern Yachting Club. We will miss him.

Joe Kilner

The following has been issued by the Broads Authority:

Due to the ongoing works being carried out by BESL (Broadland Environmental Services Limited) on behalf of the Environment Agency, and in conjunction with exceptionally high water levels, the following advice is given to all boat users:

· Keep well away from the edge of riverbanks - piling that is normally visible can be covered during project works and certain weather and water levels conditions.

· If in any doubt, sailing craft should tack short to avoid any potential hazards.

· Take note of any port and starboard marks and keep seaward of any temporary red warning markers denoting a potential hazard or obstruction. Be wary and keep clear of any work vessels, rigs, cranes, digger arms, barges and ground anchors.

· Check any area thoroughly before you attempt to moor and do not be tempted to moor where instructed not to do so.

· Boats must give way to towed or heavily loaded vessels or vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre - only overtake when advised by the skipper of the vessel.

· Report any new hazards or obstructions to the Broads Authority River Control on 01692 678459.

This advice applies until further notice.