'˜Disappointing' delays to Adur Ferry Bridge glass panel repairs

The repair work on the 16 panels had been due to begin today (Monday, October 17).

A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “We have just been advised by our contractor Balfour Beatty that there is going to be a delay in the replacement of the glass panels.

“This latest update is very disappointing as we had been reassured that this work would start on Monday, October 17.

“The reason for the delay is due to a misunderstanding with the glass supplier about the correct glass panels.

“The information we provided to the supplier was correct, but this has delayed the order being placed for the glass.”

The work is expected to take five days to complete, at a total cost of approximately £18,000, according to the spokesperson.

The majority of the broken panels were damaged in December 2015, while damage to five of the panels occured more recently.

The spokesperson said: “The reason for the delay is because we want to make sure we get value for money and we felt the original quotes that we received did not demonstrate this.”

The county council is looking to recover the cost of replacement for two of the panels from the original contractor, as their damage is due to having failed at the supports, the spokesperson said.

The other 14 panels were damaged in acts of vandalism.

The shattered panels are not dangerous to the public. The spokesperson said: “The panels in their current state are safe as they hold their structure much like a car windscreen.

“We have also coated them in a protective film to make sure that any sharp edges are protected.”

Marine Ward councillor Joss Loader, chair of Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association, said, “It’s frustrating that the installation of the replacement glass panels has been delayed, as many have been broken since December last year.

“But it’s more important that WSCC gives an undertaking that the CCTV cameras are in good working order in order to deter any further vandals.

“Most local people love our new bridge and its panoramic views over the river estuary and it plays a major role in the ongoing regeneration of Shoreham.” 


Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.shorehamherald.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ShorehamHerald

3) Follow us on Twitter @Shoreham_Herald

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Shoreham Herald - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.