Essex County Council are preparing a scheme to strengthen a 200-year-old bridge in Essex, removing the need to rebuild it. Independent assessors have previously confirmed that some of the oldest parts of Finchingfield Bridge are in a state of disrepair, says Essex Live.

Essex Highways had put a plan together to rebuild the bridge with a similar, slightly wider one to better protect the bridge parapet, and a stronger one to ensure future capacity needs would be met. But following local concerns and objections, this idea was scrapped.

The county council is now considering the development of an interim strengthening scheme for Finchingfield Bridge. It says this will retain the current structure and strengthen it by refurbishing deteriorated elements to enhance its longevity.

However, the scheme will require Essex Highways’ access to land owned by Finchingfield Parish Council. An email and letter have been sent to Essex Highways regarding the deregulation of part of the Village Green.

The parish council states that they are broadly in agreement with the plan, but require confirmation that the area granted under the agreement is strictly for the maintenance of the bridge.

Chairman of Finchingfield Parish Council, Councillor John Strange, said: “We don’t try to stop them doing it or anything like that because we want the bridge kept as it is, but there is an issue of whether we regulate the green.”

(Pic: Essex Highways

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