Manage a firm opening with access across the river (6)
I believe the answer is:
afford
'manage' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for afford that I've seen before include "Be able to spare the money" , "Be able to buy" , "Provide; be able to pay for" , "Provide; manage to pay for" , "Have enough money to pay for" .)