People living in Essex are likely to face disruptions to their commute this summer after a bridge is expected to close for one month.
Great Bardfield Bridge will be closed to drivers and pedestrians from July 29, from which time Bridge Street on the B1057 will also be out of bounds, Dunmow Broadcast revealed.
It is expected repairs will take five weeks to complete with the Great Bardfield Parish Council stating in the April edition of its magazine that the closure will “cause considerable inconvenience”. It is, subsequently, working with Essex Highways to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
A spokesman from Essex Highways stated: “The work is vital to ensure continued safety on the bridge, with repairs required to both northern wingwalls and localised brickwork repairs to other buttresses.”
Local farmers were particularly worried about the closure of the structure during harvest time. However, both Essex County Council and the Great Bardfield Parish Council appreciated “the work required is necessary”.
In response to this, the councils have agreed sufficient signage is needed some distance away from the village, which would give HGV drivers enough notice to use diversions. This would prevent motorists arriving in the village and realising they cannot cross the bridge and continue their route.
While the closure will cause disruption to residents and farmers, it is hoped repair work, which could include replacement of finger expansion joints, will only last a few weeks.
Essex County Council is also closing Mundon Wash Bridge until October 2019 due to its weakening structure.
Councillor Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of the local authority and cabinet member for infrastructure, said: “Mundon Wash Bridge does need replacing quickly for the safety of drivers using the road which runs over it.”