3.7.9	AREA 9 - BERWICK TO SIZEWELL
3.7.9.1	The northern part of the Region is one in which the two of the GLAs' areas meet and therefore liaison has taken place in the production of the schedules.
3.7.9.2	The area covers three sub-areas, the NE Coast; the Wash, which includes the Humber; and Yarmouth which covers the East Coast of Norfolk and Suffolk Coast.
3.7.9.3	The N E Coast.
3.7.9.3.1	This sub-area is one in which numerous dangers lies, in the form of off-lying Islands and isolated rocks. These, together with some off-lying banks, are mainly encountered within the 20m-depth contour. The most prominent feature being the headland to the north of Bridlington, which is marked by Flamborough Head Lighthouse. The area is prone to fog during the day. Offshore, tidal streams are regular and rarely exceed 1 knot at Springs. The major commercial ports of The Tees and The Tyne, lie within this region, together with numerous fishing and leisure ports/harbours. Cruise ship activity has increased over recent years.
3.7.9.3.2	Commercial traffic levels within a 20-mile radius of Longstone Lighthouse comprise some 6,548 vessel movements per annum over 135 routes (see figure 7 below).
3.7.9.3.3	Within a 20-mile radius of Flamborough Head Lighthouse these movements have increased to 14,252 per annum utilising some 267 routes.
3.7.9.4	The Wash.
3.7.9.4.1	Two major outlets, the Humber and Wash, into which numerous rivers drain, dominate the Wash sub-area. The estuaries are both bordered by large flats. South of the Humber, the navigable channels are restricted by numerous off-lying shoals and the coastline is low lying. Tidal streams are stronger and the tidal range at Springs as one progresses into the Wash increases to 6m. A number of commercial ports lie on the River Humber and on the rivers flowing into the Wash. In addition, in the southern part of the area there are a number of small fishing ports/harbours. Leisure craft are also active in the area.

Reproduced from Admiralty Chart 1192 by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the UK Hydrographic Office (www.ukho.gov.uk) NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATON

Figure 7: ShipRoutes overlay for the 135 routes identified within 20.00 nm of Longstone LH.

3.7.9.4.2	Commercial traffic levels, within a 20-mile radius of the Outer Sand Lighted Buoy comprise 39,880 vessel movements per annum, utilising some 468 routes.
3.7.9.4.3	Changes to the routeing of vessels in the vicinity of the Humber have taken place since the last review, as a consequence of the introduction by ABP Humber Estuary Services of a Traffic Separation Scheme.
3.7.9.4.4	Within this sub-area offshore production platforms and drilling rigs are encountered. This is also one of the three key areas identified for offshore renewable energy development under the Government's Round 2 initiative. This development will have an impact on the passage planning of vessels in the area and on the existing routes used. This in turn, may impact on the service provided by the General Lighthouse Authority; in terms of the current disposition of buoyage in the area.
3.7.9.5	Yarmouth.
3.7.9.5.1	The Southernmost of the three sub-areas is dominated by constantly changing sandbanks and shoals close offshore and a low-lying featureless coastline. The banks are subject to frequent surveys and buoyage marking the navigable channels is subject to continuous review. Depths are shallower, considerably so, over the off-lying banks in the vicinity of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Tidal ranges and rates are less than those encountered in the Wash. A high level of specialist traffic utilises the ports of Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. The charted depths in the vicinity of the Cross Sands have been subject recently to significant change. As a result the situation is being monitored and additional buoyage alterations may be required. Possibility exists, subject to user demand of marking a new route through the northern end of Barley Pickle by moving the N.E Cross Sand L/B. This will be given further consideration once the results of the routine re-survey carried out of this area under the Civil Hydrographic Programme are known.
3.7.9.5.2	Commercial traffic movements within a 20 miles radius of Cromer Lighthouse are at a level of 27,065 per annum over 346 routes. Traffic within a 20-mile radius of Southwold Lighthouse reaches a level of 19,109 vessel movements per annum over 332 routes.
3.7.9.5.3	A number of gas fields lie further offshore within the area. Within this area are a number of Offshore Wind Farm developments under various stages of construction, which were part of the 18 sites identified for offshore renewable energy, developments under Round 1 of the Government's initiative. Some of the development sites will impact on the passage planning of vessels in the area. In particular, the one off Cromer will impact on existing routes used by vessels and on the current level of service provided by the General Lighthouse Authority, with specific reference to Cromer Lighthouse. In addition, the results of the Government sponsored studies being carried out into the impact of some of those offshore wind farms sited in areas of instable sandbanks and shoal areas is awaited.
3.7.9.6	The main proposals for change within Area 9 are:

• Discontinuance of three lighthouses, Farne Island (additional L/B to be established and the Swedman L/B upgraded in lieu), Lowestoft and Southwold by 2010; the latter two assuming there is an alternative terrestrial radio navigation back up to GNSS.
  
• Reduction in range of lights exhibited from Longstone and Coquet.
  
• Establishment of a racon and discontinuance of the fog signal at Longstone LH.
  
• Discontinuance of 13 fog signals, including bells / whistles fitted at various L/B stations.
  
• Lighting of 4 unlighted buoy stations
  
• The increase in the range of the existing 1- 2-mile lights at 6 L/B stations to 3 miles.
  
• The upgrading of the existing S Corton L/B to a 1S7 with racon, associated with which is:
  
  • The establishment of 2 new L/Bs, one equipped with a racon;
    
  • The discontinuance of 2 existing L/Bs;
    
  • 2 existing buoys to be moved to revised assigned positions;
    
  • 2 existing buoys to be moved and their characteristics revised.
    
• The discontinuance of D.R.1 L/B station 2010.
  
• The reduction in the number of different Classes of buoys used through greater standardisation of buoy bodies and superstructures by replacing 11 buoys with the new design Class III buoy, [which utilises more modern design materials. These buoys will be replaced, as and when required, and will result in improved efficiency of delivery of the service to the mariner.]
• The possible establishment of an additional L/B to mark Pan Bush, if the hours of exhibition of the light at Coquet LH are changed upon re-engineering.
  
• The fitment of AIS to 10 stations and the possible discontinuance of 1 L/B (N. Well L/B) and the establishment in lieu of a virtual AIS-AtoN.