BROADWATER BRIDGE REPAIRS UPDATE:
From East Suffolk Council

The extent of damage to the bridge is relatively modest, however there are a couple of trees that belong to the neighbouring property that need to be removed before we are able to undertake the repairs.

One is a very large willow, which is currently partly supported by the bridge and is rather precariously spanning over a large sewer main that spans the river just downstream of the bridge – This tree will need to be removed very carefully to avoid damaging/breaking the sewer. The land owner is aware of the situation and is in the process of making arrangements for the trees to be removed but there is no confirmed date for when this will take place at the moment – We will continue to liaise with them on the timing of this work.

We have investigated/discussed the scope/details of works required and are of the view that (once the trees have been removed to provide a safe working area) we can undertake the repairs working largely from the road with a small tower scaffold being erected in the watercourse as and when required on a daily basis.

We have already applied for an exemption permit from the EA to undertake the repair works in this way, which usually takes about a week for the EA to process. If accepted by the EA?, this will avoid the need for applying for and obtaining a bespoke consent from them for erecting a scaffold in/over the watercourse, which typically takes 10-12 weeks to obtain. (There is an increased risk of disruption due to high water levels by working from a tower scaffold, but probably something that we will have to accept/manage).

The workpack has already been prepared and is about to be sent for pricing/programming.
We have stressed that these works are a high priority to us, such that the temporary TL's can be removed ASAP.

The works will require a road closure (I would envisage that the repairs should take no longer than a week to complete), for which we will need to obtain road-space for via the Network Assurance Team

We will request an "early start" or emergency closure for this, hopefully this request will be viewed favourably given the location and disruption being caused by the temporary TL's. (We can't request this until we know when the trees will have been removed.)
We can't yet give you a date for when the works will be completed as this is dependent on the outcome of the constraints/issues outlined above, but can update you as things develop.

FENS UPDATE AUTUMN 2022
:

You may have noticed that the Fens did not get its final cut and clear this year. This was a combination of Covid, machine availability and weather.

After consulting the contractor and research 'rewilding' people, the Lands committee have decided to leave it be and see how it regenerates next year. It will do no harm ecologically, and indeed there is an argument that leaving it be every few years helps the rewilding process and increases bio diversity.

The downside is that some people may think it looks a little untidy, but the bugs and small creatures will look at it differently!
The upside is that the budget will be in a healthier state for 2023.

The Town Council will look to see what can be done with the material left over from the final cut next year. The 'heaps' that are there already are doing their business as bio machines but it is good practise not to let them get too big by piling more and more stuff on top of them. It can acidify the soil too much which is not good for the trees.
The stuff cannot be used for animal feed or bedding as it will likely have some dog poo in it. Some have felt that it could be used as a bio fuel but so far we have not got very far in finding out how to achieve this.

If anyone has any bright ideas, that will not cost the earth, the Town Council would be very pleased to hear them.

FRAMLINGHAM CALENDAR 2023:

Available  from:

The Town Council Office, 10c Church Street, IP13 9BH
&
The Bookshop, Market Hill, IP13 9BB

With a ‘Then and Now’ theme it would make a fabulous gift for a reasonable £5.