Cowdray Avenue barriers will not be replaced with bollards

Residents have described the barriers at Cowdray Bridge, which opened in 1933, as an “eyesore”.

A new investigation has determined the bridge is in a "poor condition" and requires vital repairs.

The site has been lined with heras fencing since 2014 as a safety measure, later replaced with black fencing when work was completed at the Ipswich Road roundabout. 

The concrete barriers have been in place for longer.

The barriers and fencing have been dubbed an “eyesore” by residents, some of whom issued a fresh call to remove them after the new bollards installed on the bridge in East Street last month.

Highways bosses have said they have investigated the possibility of removing the barriers and replacing them with new permanent bollards.

“Unfortunately, due to the buried utility services at the bridge we have determined this option is not possible, however, we are continuing to explore alternative options to refresh the barriers,” a statement said.

It added the existing concrete barriers remain “necessary” to protect the footways and edge of the bridge from vehicle loading weight.

Barriers - the black fencing replaced the old heras one a few years ago (Image: Essex Highways)

Essex Highways revealed the decision after recent investigation works, which also revealed more repair work must be done.

It was found the current bridge deck under the carriageway is in “poor condition” and requires future waterproofing to “slow further deterioration”.

However, the work has been “programmed to be carried out during the 25/26 financial year, subject to funding,” Highways bosses added.

The news comes as Essex was named second on the list of local authority areas with the most substandard bridges.

Motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, which carried out the analysis, named Essex second with 148 substandard bridges, behind Devon with 222.

The analysis was based on data provided by 201 councils in response to Freedom of Information requests.

Cowdray Bridge, which carries the A133 over a main railway line, underwent structural repairs in 2021.

This included strengthening works to the retaining wall located to the south and west of the Ipswich Road roundabout.

What has Essex Highways said?

The report from the RAC Foundation found local authorities identified 2,928 of the 73,208 bridges they are responsible for as being substandard at the end of last year.

Essex Highways said the “large number of bridges offers a stark challenge” compared to other local authorities and that it “prioritises investment in the road network”

A spokesman said: “Essex has one of the longest road networks in the country and, as a result, many more road bridges than other areas.

“We have always prioritised investment in the road network as we want to ensure we keep Essex moving and we will continue to invest in inspecting, repairing and replacing highway bridges and structures.

“We are very conscious we have a large number of older bridges in our county, which were not designed to take modern volumes, size or weight of traffic.

"This offers a stark challenge to every authority.

“Alongside our regular inspections and structural assessments, we are constantly looking at innovative ways to improve our structural information to help prioritise works.

“We are also developing new methodologies and materials to strengthen our assets and reduce the need to replace them, which in turn helps maximise our investment.”