The Cross Keys Swing Bridge could be electrified at an estimated cost of £1.68m
Operator Lincolnshire County Council says it will look at making the Sutton Bridge crossing run on electric motors, rather than overhaul the existing hydraulic systems.
It had already allocated £480,000 to do that.
But a meeting of the authority’s Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee is being asked to allow officers to install electric mechanisms on the A17’s crossing between Lincolnshire and Norfolk.
A report to the committee states that making the 1897 built bridge electric would save £40,000 a year going forward, after an estimated initial outlay of £1.68m.
It says other benefits would be more environmentally friendly, reduce the risk of things going wrong and reduce costs on any future work due to current specialist contractors having to be used.
“There are no significant disadvantages currently identified through the option of implementing this new proposal,” the report continues. “The additional electricity costs of operating the proposed electric motors are expected to be more than offset by the savings made by not having to electrically heat the existing system’s hydraulic oil, as is currently done in order to give confidence that the bridge will operate as it should.
“The total cost of the new proposal to convert the bridge to full electric operation is £1.68 million, which would include the £480,000 previously allocated.
“However, the benefits listed above – giving the further increase in resilience, reliability and risk reduction that they do – are considered to be such that the additional cost presents value for money.”
The county council also says there has been a 65 per cent increase in the bridge opening for boats to pass through since 2021.
The report points out the council legally has to open the bridge for boats as part of The Lynn and Sutton Bridge Railway Act of 1861.
“The risks of not implementing either the hydraulic overhaul or the conversion to electric operation, and so continuing with the current operating arrangements, are considered to be too significant for nothing to be done.”
There’s no mention on the report of what works and potential road closures might be needed.
It was subject to six months worth of repair and paint work last year.
