Building and civil engineer contractor, Farrans, has been selected to build the Gull Wing, Lowestoft's third crossing over Lake Lothing in Suffolk.

More than 50 local employment and training opportunities will be created by Farrans and the wider supply chain.

A comprehensive tender process was run over the summer and approval to appoint the contractor was made at Suffolk County Council's Cabinet meeting. Farrans was subsequently revealed as the winning contractor and the £76 million contract will commence later this year.

The Gull Wing will be Suffolk's most significant infrastructure development in recent memory and is one of several substantial projects to transform Lowestoft in the coming years.

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Councillor Matthew Hicks, leader of Suffolk County Council, said: "Suffolk's Gull Wing project continues to gather momentum and I’m pleased to welcome Farrans on board. Following an in-depth tender process, this appointment is based on an offer which we believe will bring a balance of high-quality workmanship, value for money and great social value for the local area."

Jonny Kerr, operations director for Farrans' Civil Engineering Division, said: "We're delighted to be involved with the Gull Wing, which is going to mean a great deal to the local community. It is even more exciting to be working on such an iconic structure.

"The Gull Wing bridge will offer in excess of 50 employment and training opportunities for the local area through ourselves and our supply chain to leave a lasting legacy within Suffolk. In the last 20 years we have completed 24 projects for Suffolk County Council, including Lowestoft North Fire Station and Lowestoft South Fire Station.

"We will of course be building the bridge, but our presence in Lowestoft will be much more than that. We will be working with local schools to involve children in the project and launching apprenticeships for local people."

Construction work is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2021, with the bridge opening in the summer of 2023.