A17 Sutton Bridge (Crosskeys Bridge Repainting)
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A17 Sutton Bridge (Crosskeys Bridge Repainting)
https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/new ... ed-6745293
On Monday 28th February 2022 Lincolnshire County Council started work on repainting the A17 Cross Keys Swing Bridge at Sutton Bridge, for those of you are are not familiar with this bridge which crosses the River Nene very close to the Lincolnshire/Norfolk border is the most famous single landmark along the entire route of the A17 which stretches from Newark to Kings Lynn and is the only crossing point over the River Nene north of the Cambridgeshire town of Wisbech which when work like this is undertaken causes big problems in the local area as The only alternative to travel ten miles south though the middle of Wisbech to cross the river. The last time the bridge was last painted was over twenty years ago and since then the paintwork has shown signs of deterioration due to the heavy amount of traffic which uses the bridge.
During the time of the work which will not be fully completed until the beginning of July the bridge will be reduced to just a single lane along with overnight closures (especially in June) which will be controlled by Traffic Management although the bridge will be “fully open” for the bank holidays (which if I read the news article correctly does not include the weekends themselves just the bank holidays) so if you are travelling from the North of England into Norfolk over the course of the next few months please do be aware of this and expect significant delays.
On Monday 28th February 2022 Lincolnshire County Council started work on repainting the A17 Cross Keys Swing Bridge at Sutton Bridge, for those of you are are not familiar with this bridge which crosses the River Nene very close to the Lincolnshire/Norfolk border is the most famous single landmark along the entire route of the A17 which stretches from Newark to Kings Lynn and is the only crossing point over the River Nene north of the Cambridgeshire town of Wisbech which when work like this is undertaken causes big problems in the local area as The only alternative to travel ten miles south though the middle of Wisbech to cross the river. The last time the bridge was last painted was over twenty years ago and since then the paintwork has shown signs of deterioration due to the heavy amount of traffic which uses the bridge.
During the time of the work which will not be fully completed until the beginning of July the bridge will be reduced to just a single lane along with overnight closures (especially in June) which will be controlled by Traffic Management although the bridge will be “fully open” for the bank holidays (which if I read the news article correctly does not include the weekends themselves just the bank holidays) so if you are travelling from the North of England into Norfolk over the course of the next few months please do be aware of this and expect significant delays.
Last edited by GOSBER03 on Tue Apr 05, 2022 09:46, edited 1 time in total.
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
It’s been causing long queues on the A17, and people with local knowledge have been using the diversion route even when the A17 is open.
Not helped when there was local roadworks on the A1101 in Wisbech.
Not helped when there was local roadworks on the A1101 in Wisbech.
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
The diversion / alternative route through the middle of Wisbech isn't that great either, and it's also worth bearing in mind that the A47 Guyhirn roadworks are continuing until the end of March is anyone is considering diverting via Peterborough
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
Interesting bridge this. Built in 1897. It used to be operated by water accumulators. I don’t know if that’s still the case. I recall hot summer days when it expanded and jammed closed (or wouldn’t open ). The fire brigade used to come and hose it down with water to try and cool it and free it.
When I was ‘involved’ it had to be manned round the clock 365 days a year. This was so it could open on demand to let boats pass (legal stipulation). The wage bill to the taxpayer was pretty huge. However at that time only one boat ever passed along the Nene, and the operators always knew in advance when it would need to open. Despite that the bridge could never be left unattended. I see that boat passage now has to be booked in advance so presumably it’s no longer manned 24/7.
When I was ‘involved’ it had to be manned round the clock 365 days a year. This was so it could open on demand to let boats pass (legal stipulation). The wage bill to the taxpayer was pretty huge. However at that time only one boat ever passed along the Nene, and the operators always knew in advance when it would need to open. Despite that the bridge could never be left unattended. I see that boat passage now has to be booked in advance so presumably it’s no longer manned 24/7.
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
This weekend.
Sutton Rd j/o Dowgate Rd
North End between Aldi and Asda
Plus this weekend Guyhirn roundabout is closed and there are overnight works on the A47 at Thorney
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
Leverington junction still had temporary lights last week when I was there. The week before the fair was in town too so there was both more visitors and reduced parking too.
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Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
When I came over it yesterday, they'd given up on the traffic lights and were signalling traffic by hand to run for a couple of minutes each way.
Been everywhere... can't remember any of it
Was fun though
Was fun though
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
Looks from that like the situation has reverted to how it was upto the mid-1960's with road traffic only on the northern side.
In those days it was the railway using the other side not painting contractors.
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
Do we know if it is still being opened for river traffic? That would cause mayhem!
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
Oh yes it’s still opened for river traffic now and then but mostly these days it’s just mainly pleasure crafts.
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
With Sutton Bridge port now closed I would imagine there’ll be a bit more river traffic heading to Wisbech instead.
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
Here's a video driving towards Kings Lynn, with the queue in the other direction ..... I only had to wait around 5 minutes. https://youtu.be/WJv75oLnILs
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
Is it just me or is that some very poor traffic management there. Apart from you straddling the lanes there appears to be nothing preventing village traffic using the LH lane all the way up to the point where the RH lane ends?
I've been through the bridge twice so far during the works, once from the village itself (not much of a wait) and once from Kings Lynn side but I was coming from the minor road that runs alongside the river not the A17 and I was let out into that traffic very quickly (got across on first green light after I arrived).
I've been through the bridge twice so far during the works, once from the village itself (not much of a wait) and once from Kings Lynn side but I was coming from the minor road that runs alongside the river not the A17 and I was let out into that traffic very quickly (got across on first green light after I arrived).
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
Yes, dire traffic management. It was indicated that the outside lane was closed but they needed to close the outside lane from the roundabout just behind me. It was confusing for drivers who were being undertaken and making progress though the lights - around 30% more vehicles I rekon would get through those lights should they close off the outside lane.Fenlander wrote: ↑Mon Apr 04, 2022 12:24 Is it just me or is that some very poor traffic management there. Apart from you straddling the lanes there appears to be nothing preventing village traffic using the LH lane all the way up to the point where the RH lane ends?
I've been through the bridge twice so far during the works, once from the village itself (not much of a wait) and once from Kings Lynn side but I was coming from the minor road that runs alongside the river not the A17 and I was let out into that traffic very quickly (got across on first green light after I arrived).
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
I didn’t know Port Sutton Bridge had closed and that’s from someone local to the area.
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge Repainting
Yeah I saw on the local news article after reading this, also I saw Sutton Bridge myself for the first time since the works started and was very lucky as we only had to wait five minutes to get over the bridge this morning.
Re: A17 Sutton Bridge (Crosskeys Bridge Repainting)
The temporary signals are due to be removed this Saturday (2nd July)
So all you A17 fans out there can look forward to normal service being resumed!
So all you A17 fans out there can look forward to normal service being resumed!