Letter from Tom Cunningham, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and sustainable transport, Essex County Council
May 2025
Subject: Boxted bridge
Dear all
Thank you for your e-mails regarding the future of Boxted Bridge. As you may be aware, I have received several enquiries on this issue so am sending this reply to all who
have contacted me, so everyone receives the same information at the same time.
Firstly, may I apologise for the delay in responding to your e-mails. I have been liaising with the relevant officers to make sure I have the latest information to pass on to you. Please be assured that officers are working hard to achieve the best outcome for all concerned.
The existing Boxted Bridge is not suitable for a number of vehicle types, particularly emergency service vehicles. Based on the condition of the structure, the road alignment issues at the junction including several strikes to the bridge edge beams led to the decision to proceed with the option to replace the existing structure. Any maintenance repair option will not meet current highway standards.
The proposal is to replace the existing structure with a bespoke composite bridge deck supported on piled foundations, to be placed behind the existing abutments. The existing abutments will be retained and repurposed as a mammal ledge. Steel cladding will be placed in front of the reinforced concrete parapets to replicate the appearance of the existing structure. The structure will be wider than the existing Boxted Bridge (as it is designed to current highways standards) and the reconstruction will include highway improvements in proximity to the Bridge. The replacement bridge has been designed as a bespoke replacement, replicating several design cues from the original structure. The proposal, itself has undertaken a series of updates, addressing comments and feedback from a number of stakeholders.
The proposal to replace the existing Boxted Bridge was presented to Essex County Council’s Development and Regulation Committee on 25 April and the decision has been deferred. We are currently unsure of when Babergh District Council will take the proposal to its planning committee.
Please note that the “Unsuitable for Heavy Goods Vehicles” signs on the approaches to the Bridge will still remain in place. This will continue to deter any large vehicles using this route.
With regard to the load testing, unfortunately this was delayed for many months due to Ed Morton’s recommended contractor being unable to register as a supply chain partner for Ringway Jacobs as they applied to Essex County Council instead. However, they are now on Ringway Jacobs supply chain and recently we have agreed their method statement.
We are currently liaising with all Supply Chain Partners involved in the load testing to finalise method statements and risk assessments (RAMS) and have a provisional date of 3rd & 4th July 2025 for the load testing. I have been advised that the Boxted Bridge webpage has been updated with this information.At the same time, we are exploring provisional options to install a temporary footbridge to allow pedestrians and dismounted cyclists to pass over the river while Boxted Bridge remains closed due to safety concerns.
With regard to the question of navigation under bridge, this had to be closed due to the rating of the structure being less than dead load. We explored the installation of portages either side of Boxted bridge to allow passage to canoeists, but the proposal was rejected by the landowners.
Thank you all for your patience and I will keep you informed of progress with the work on the future of Boxted Bridge.
Kind regards
Tom
Cllr Tom Cunningham C.C
Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport,
Essex County Councillor for Braintree Town Division
Website: www.essex.gov.uk