This picture shows the site of the new Mutford Bridge under construction in 1991 to the west of Lowestoft. This is now completed. In fact there are three bridges at this point; a pedestrian bridge, a rail bridge and a road bridge. All lift to allow boats to pass from Lake Lothing, the tidal sea water inland extension of Lowestoft Docks and a centre of boat building, to the fresh water broad of Oulton Broad. Lifting or swing bridges are commonly used to allow water traffic to "cross" roads in the Fens and Broads because of the difficulty of raising the road up sufficiently to allow the movement of boats underneath.

During Roman times Oulton Broad was open to the sea making Lowestoft and the land north to the river Yare into an island but this silted up. These bridges have re-established the link. There is a lock separating the broad from the sea at Lowestoft.