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Closed Victorian bridge could partially reopen

Neve Gordon-Farleigh
News imageLouise Graham/BBC A road has been closed and cordoned off using metal and plastic fending. A row of orange traffic cones has been put in place to further block off access to the road. In front of these cones are metal signs. On the left there are two signs stacked on top of each other. At the bottom is a yellow metal sign with black writing which says, CCTV In Operation. On top of it, is a red metal sign with white writing which says, ROAD CLOSED. On the right of the picture there is a yellow metal sign which says, Boxted Bridge CLOSED No Access.Louise Graham/BBC
Boxted Bridge, which is on the Essex-Suffolk border, was closed in 2023

A Victorian bridge closed more than two years ago after it was found to be unsafe and had "severely deteriorated" could reopen to cyclists and pedestrians.

Tests were carried out on the Boxted Bridge on the Essex-Suffolk border, near Colchester, in September, to see how much weight it could withstand.

Essex County Council has proposed the partial reopening and is launching a consultation for people to give their thoughts on the idea.

Mark Platt, the Conservative cabinet member for highways, said "the safety of our roads and structures" is "our highest priority".

The steel structure was built four years before the end of Queen Victoria's reign, carrying people over the River Stour.

An inspection in 2018 concluded the structure's beams were corroded, before it was eventually closed off in 2023.

A council spokesperson said crews had carried out topographical surveys, environmental studies, borehole drilling, structural monitoring, flood risk assessments "and more" at the site.

News imageSAVE OUR BRIDGE A line of campaigners standing in the River Stour, holding signs saying "No need for a £1,000,000 new bridge", "Do not waste resources - please repair" and "Save our bridge". Some are wearing waders. There are more campaigners on the bridge. There are trees either side of the structure.SAVE OUR BRIDGE
As part of the authority's plans, it will also look at reopening the waterway under the bridge

The consultation is due to run until 12 February. The authority says it will also look at reopening the waterway under the bridge as soon as possible.

Platt said: "By reopening the bridge to cyclists and pedestrians, we can keep users of the bridge safe, while maintaining the existing structure."

Earlier this year, councillors discussed the prospect of demolishing the bridge.

Campaigners have been lobbying to protect and reopen the existing structure.

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