Taxi drivers hail Lowestoft's new Gull Wing Bridge

Taxi drivers have given the thumbs up to a new bridge after experiencing quicker travel times - and they are hopeful it will act as a catalyst for investment.

The £145m Gull Wing Bridge in Lowestoft, Suffolk, opened to great fanfare on 7 September, with pedestrians and a vintage bus being the first to use it.

It is the third crossing over Lake Lothing, which runs through the centre of the town, and many taxi drivers have told the BBC it has made a big difference to their journeys.

One taxi boss said her drivers described the new bridge as an "absolute godsend" after decades of battling traffic.

Stacey Lock, managing director at Five One Taxis, said: "All the drivers have been really positive about the new bridge and it's definitely eased traffic congestion.

"We really noticed the difference on Friday during the rush-hour.

"Passengers also will feel more confident to get a taxi when they need it - and I think that confidence will grow for the trade, not just for myself as a business, but for trade in general across the whole town."

Stuart Inskip, a driver for Dan's Taxis, said: "It has made a difference and it's all positive at the moment, so I've got no complaints at all."

It is thought up to 5,000 people managed to spend time on the bridge before it opened to traffic a few hours later.

The bridge is the largest of its kind, with the bascule span 39.5m (130ft) long, 22m (72ft) wide and 35m (115ft) tall.

The council's Conservative leader Matthew Hicks previously said the crossing would serve as a "vital transportation link", while standing as an "iconic new landmark" for the town.