02/09/2026
Boating News - Completion of repairs to Reedham Swing Bridge
As of 2 September 2026, larger boats can now pass through Reedham swing bridge again after Network Rail finished fixing a major mechanical fault.
The 123-year-old bridge, which carries trains over the River Yare as well as swinging open for the safe passage of larger boats, has been affected by problems with its central bearing this summer. The bearing forms part of the main pivot and helps to support the structure as it opens and closes.
Fixing the bridge involved removing the old bearing and installing a new one as part of a complex programme of engineering over several weeks. The new bearing was installed during the August bank holiday weekend, with engineers completing testing and commissioning ahead of schedule to bring the bridge back into operation before the expected date in mid-September.
Operators will monitor the bridge at Reedham closely while it starts swinging regularly again. Following major repairs, heritage swing bridges can experience some smaller reliability issues for a time, especially when they have been out of action over an extended period. Hot weather restrictions on the bridge will also apply as normal - the bridge can’t be swung if temperatures get too high because its main structures and rails expand in the heat.
Thank you for your patience and understanding whilst these complex repair works were undertaken.
The image shows a heavy-duty road rail vehicle working on the bridge, in the comments you can see an image showing the works to the bearing.
https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/navigating-the-broads/boating-news/completion-of-repairs-to-reedham-swing-bridge
Image description: A road-rail vehicle positioned on the tracks of Reedham Swing Bridge during maintenance work. The bridge's steel structure and signal box are visible alongside the railway line, with the vehicle operating on the bridge under clear blue skies.
