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Tamar Bridge

29 March 2024 12:53

Plymouth (Westbound)

Peak Traffic Flow

Saltash (Eastbound)

Peak Traffic Flow

Torpoint Ferry

29 March 2024 12:53

Devonport (Westbound)

No Wait (3 Ferry Service)

Torpoint (Eastbound)

No Wait (3 Ferry Service)

Tamar Bridge - New sensors on Tamar Bridge Measuring Water QualityTamar Crossings are supporting an exciting international research project on monitoring water quality in the River Tamar and Plymouth Sound.Periodic flooding as a result of heavy rainfall is becoming more and more frequent across the south-west of England as well as globally. This is because the heating of inland water and the sea is causing more evapotranspiration which results in high rainfall that can result in episodic flooding events.These flooding events can carry agricultural fertilisers, sewage effluent and, in some locations, heavy metals from the rivers to the coast. These can pose a significant health risk to humans and the environment through the deposition of high nutrients, suspended material, viruses and bacteria.Earlier this year Tamar Crossings was contacted by the lead investigator of Vis4Sea*, which is a two-year collaborative project between Plymouth Marine Laboratory and CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. The project is researching the impacts of flooding on water quality in Plymouth Sound.Funding for the project is being provided through the Government’s UK Research and Innovation fund and CSIRO’s AquaWatch Mission.There are a number of innovative technologies being used in the project. One of these is the use of a small box containing three pairs of fibre optic sensors which has been installed on the north side of the Tamar Bridge. Developed by CSIRO, these sensors, called HydraSpectraTM, measure the reflected light spectra that occurs when there is a change in water colour associated with water quality. This means they can detect the water colour associated with changes in water quality during high loads of fertilisers, sewage effluent and heavy metals.The sensors have been positioned so that one pair looks directly up to measure the incoming sunlight, one looks at the sky to measure reflected sky light and the other looks down to the surface of the river. Powered through a small solar panel also fixed to the side of the bridge, this method provides a low-tech Carbon-Zero solution to measuring river water pollution.Measurements from the sensors, supported by a programme of water sampling from PML’s Research Vessels Quest and Explorer, are providing information on the concentration of nutrients, suspended material, viruses and bacteria in the water. These measurements are used in synergy with data from marine buoys situated along the coast and satellite images, to provide a synoptic picture of the water quality in the Tamar River and how it affects coastal waters in Plymouth Sound.Fittings constructed by members of the Tamar Crossings engineering team and installed by Paintel Ltd., have been fixed to the side of the bridge that hold the sensor box in place to gain a birds-eye view of the river below. ... See MoreSee Less
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Ferry 1211 - The 1215 ferry service from Devonport has departed early carrying an emergency blue light vehicle. The next scheduled ferry service will be at 1230. ... See MoreSee Less
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Tamar Crossings is delighted to be supporting the consultation and public transport trial day which is taking place at Saltash Waterside on Easter Saturday (March 30th).Part of a wider project aimed at exploring how to improve connections between Saltash Waterside, the town centre and further afield, the day will provide an opportunity for local people to try different methods of transport, including a trip on the Saltash Red Bus, a tuk tuk, a land train, or a ferry – all free of charge. People will also be able to try out one of the new Beryl Bikes which are now available in Saltash. Local Cornwall Councillor Martin Worth and Joint Chair of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee is looking forward to the event which, he says, will enable the local community to have their say on how to improve transport links and connectivity both within the town and the wider area. You can find out more about the event here sites.google.com/view/make-saltash-waterside-better/transport-trial?authuser=0 ... See MoreSee Less
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Ferry 09:33- The 09:35 Service from Devonport left early with a blue light ambulance onboard. ... See MoreSee Less
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  • Plymouth from Bridge Tower

    This webcam shows the view towards Plymouth (eastwards) from the Bridge tower.

    Saltash from Bridge Tower

    This webcam shows the view towards Saltash (westwards) from the Bridge tower.