The £10m Dock Link Road is on hold until a decision after the ongoing inquiry which opened on Tuesday.

It heard construction of the bridge will mean moorings and berths for fishermen will have to move.

There are concerns this will not leave room for vessels to manoeuvre safely. Fisherman Dave Hardstaff said this could cause a catastrophe.

Heavy traffic

And he said that the move could lead to a loss of life.

Brian Franklyn from the Boston Fishermen's Association also told the hearing that members were deeply concerned about what he described as "the hazardous situation" the project would create.

He said fishermen were not against the project in principle, but would not withdraw their objections until an agreement had been reached on alternative arrangements for the berths. Supporters say the project would take 200 heavy lorries a day off the existing Haven bridge and created more work and jobs at the town docks.

If approved, the Dock Link Road would provide a new bridge and a link to the A16.