Essex Highways announcement yesterday:

"An inspection of Boxted Bridge this week has raised new concerns regarding the bridge’s deteriorating condition and loading capacity.   In light of this latest information Essex Highways have taken the decision to implement an emergency road closure preventing vehicles from using the structure.  The closure of the bridge, which is situated on Wick Road at the junction with Lower Farm Road and Sky Hall Hill in Boxted, will take immediate effect while highway engineers assess the situation and consider next steps.

The bridge will be fully closed to all vehicles and pedestrians while our investigations continue, with no access permitted to pass through the closed section of the road until further notice.

We fully appreciate that this road closure will be inconvenient to those who regularly use the route however as a responsible highways authority we must put public safety first while our investigations continue".

This follows 31 years of neglect and failure to carry out recommended remedial work between 1992-2016 highlighted in previous bridge inspection reports. 

Residents living immediately beside Boxted bridge did not receive this notification and only discovered it through third parties.