Orwell Bridge, Suffolk

[mercalia]

been over there on my heavy motor bike a long time ago - quite scarey, you feel so exposed

[atoz]

Hi all

Is the pedestrian footway over the bridge accessible for cyclists? I wouldn't entertain the Orwell Bridge if it isn't. I understand there are steps at the North end to come off it which suggests it's not doable easily, but that info was several years old.

[awavey]

Hi all

Is the pedestrian footway over the bridge accessible for cyclists? I wouldn't entertain the Orwell Bridge if it isn't. I understand there are steps at the North end to come off it which suggests it's not doable easily, but that info was several years old.

depends how accessible you need it to be ? I mean it wasnt built to cater for cyclists at all, really isnt there to cater for pedestrians either, really it was just there for maintenance access, though ironically theyve now included the route as officially part of the King Charles III coastal path route, almost as good as some of the NCN , so theyre not going to be in a position to close that access off, which was on the cards for a while.

Id guess the steps at the Wherstead side are easier to use as there are less of them, but Ive only been on the Nacton side of it once, and theyd be fairly unpleasant to carry a bicycle on imo as there are alot of steps.

really as bad as it feels cycling into/out of Ipswich thats preferable still to tackling the bridge path route imo.

[atoz]

Yes, I read the local MP ( Cartlidge) try his luck with a vox pop Facebook post about potentially denying pedestrian access. Not entirely convinced about his motives there. Still I suppose it makes a change from the usual anti Labour stuff he comes out with. Does describe himself as a keen cyclist and does charity rides. I think he'd have difficulties lugging his MTB style bike up those bridge steps.

Wouldn't surely be too difficult having ramp access. Not cheap perhaps but given the collapse of the other bridge scheme involving cycling provision, maybe worth doing. The views from the bridge are great, have been across in a car.

[simonhill]

Hi all

Is the pedestrian footway over the bridge accessible for cyclists? I wouldn't entertain the Orwell Bridge if it isn't. I understand there are steps at the North end to come off it which suggests it's not doable easily, but that info was several years old.

A combination of satellite view and street view on Google maps might be helpful.

[atoz]

Hi all

Is the pedestrian footway over the bridge accessible for cyclists? I wouldn't entertain the Orwell Bridge if it isn't. I understand there are steps at the North end to come off it which suggests it's not doable easily, but that info was several years old.

A combination of satellite view and street view on Google maps might be helpful.

Just looked now. Not promising. Think I'll pass on that experience. It's not just the steps, it's the rather low dividing rail next to the road. Also I've used narrow towpaths with more room than that.

I don't get put off easily but this is the exception that proves the rule. Ho hum...

[awavey]

there is at least a dividing rail, theres a section of cycle path alongside the A14 just outside Felixstowe, that puts you literally just a sloped kerb, not even a proper kerb, away from all the container lorries leaving the port.

the alternative route next to it you get to play chicken with all the irate motorists instead, on what was the old A14, which they made single carriageway.

makes the Wolf way interesting at least.

[awavey]

Yes, I read the local MP ( Cartlidge) try his luck with a vox pop Facebook post about potentially denying pedestrian access. Not entirely convinced about his motives there. Still I suppose it makes a change from the usual anti Labour stuff he comes out with. Does describe himself as a keen cyclist and does charity rides. I think he'd have difficulties lugging his MTB style bike up those bridge steps.

Wouldn't surely be too difficult having ramp access. Not cheap perhaps but given the collapse of the other bridge scheme involving cycling provision, maybe worth doing. The views from the bridge are great, have been across in a car.

because just look at any article in the local press reporting on another closure due to a police incident on the bridge, its full of people complaining that people just shouldnt be allowed up there anymore, to delay all their ultra important car journeys they have.

and so yeah much like Ipswichs local MP, he responds to what he thinks are populist positions to take to boost his perceived popularity by canvassing facebook alot.

I thought Id heard there were moves to revisit the additional crossing for pedestrian and cycling not that it would help really from the perspective of the Orwell bridge, as you still have to ride in along a damn dangerous set of roads, and get to cross just a bit sooner than that crazy one way system they have there