BAM Nuttall and Farrans Construction are joining forces to work on the final design and construction of the lifting bridge creating a more direct link between the western and eastern parts of the East Norfolk coastal town.

The contractors have developed a twin leaf bascule bridge design with the counterweights below-deck.  The firms will now work with the project team at the county council to finalise the detailed design and construction requirements for the bridge.

Councillor Graham Plant, Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “The Government has already committed £98m towards the Third River Crossing, approved the outline business case and recognised it as a nationally significant infrastructure project.

“This is a huge vote of confidence in both the local and regional economies, and I look forward to the design being finalised with the contractors and the application for Development Consent being submitted.”

Bridge will carry a dual carriageway road across the River Yare.

An application for development consent is due to be submitted in the spring, with a public examination expected later this year and construction due to start on site towards the end of next year.