Traffic cut by nearly 90% in Lowestoft after Gull Wing Bridge opens
It opened in September 2024.
The Gull Wing Bridge in Lowestoft has significantly reduced traffic congestion on key routes, with some areas seeing cuts as high as 88 per cent since its opening in September 2024.
The £126.75 million bridge was built to tackle long-standing traffic problems in the town, which had caused disruptions to the local economy and affected residents’ wellbeing.
Previously, access to Lowestoft was limited to crossings on Bridge Road and Pier Terrace over Lake Loathing. Since the Gull Wing Bridge opened, traffic data over 2025 shows substantial improvements in flow throughout the area.
Traffic levels at Pier Terrace southbound saw the largest decrease, with daily trips dropping by 88 per cent from 14,541 to 7,715.
Bridge Road saw the smallest reduction at four per cent, with daily trips decreasing from 11,129 to 10,694.
The Gull Wing Bridge itself is now used by approximately 9,500 vehicles each way daily.
Suffolk County Council is set to review how well the bridge has met its objectives, as councillors analyse preliminary data on Tuesday.
Further analysis of the bridge’s impact from its first full year in operation is expected by March this year. Ongoing monitoring will continue as part of a review scheduled for the bridge’s five-year anniversary.
The council expressed optimism that the bridge will remain a transformative asset for Lowestoft by improving connections, boosting the economy, and reducing daily disruptions caused by congestion.