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Boxted Bridge - latest information


04/09/2023
Latest News

Following the installation of signs and booms last month at Boxted Bridge, we would like to reassure river users that we are seeking permission regarding portage arrangements. Further updates will be available in due course. 

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Boxted Bridge, Wick Road, Boxted, Colchester  

Works location and photos

Boxted Bridge and Wick Road
Boxted Bridge and River Stour
Cracks on north abutment
Corrosion on girders
Corrosion and deflection of plates on girders

The current position

Boxted Bridge (ECC No. 0059) was built in 1897 and is located on Wick Road/Lower Farm Road near the junction of Sky Hall Hill in Boxted on the Essex/Suffolk border where it crosses the River Stour.  The bridge currently carries two way traffic.

In 2018 a Principal Inspection identified that the bridge was displaying signs of distress including corrosion, delamination, deformation and cracking. The bridge is nearing the end of its natural lifespan.

The possibility of repairing the current structure was explored during an Option Study which has determined that the structural form of the bridge, as well as its current condition are prohibitive factors to undertaking effective structural repairs without replacing the structure as a whole.  The Option Study outlines other measures considered for managing the crossing point, as well as identifying possible improvements to resolve the existing road alignment and visibility constraints at the junction. Further details are explained in our Questions and Answers in the Document section below.

Our preferred option (Option 7B) is to replace the existing structure on a slightly widened footprint to allow for the safe movement of fire engine vehicles at the junction.  Our studies indicate that vehicles, such as a refuse vehicles and fire engines cannot safely manoeuvre at the junction, and has contributed to a number of vehicle strikes at the bridge and to nearby private property.

Latest computer generated artist impression of proposed bridge.

We anticipate the design of a future bridge would be visually similar to the current bridge and sympathetic to the area, recognising that this is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as illustrated by the computer generated artist impression.

Please refer to the Document section below to view our proposed bridge design which will be submitted through the formal Essex County Council planning process in November 2021.

Investigation works have supported new bridge design

Ground investigations and trial holes works were completed during November 2020. These works were successfully carried out with the support of archaeological supervision and advice of external specialists including geotechnical consultants and building surveyors prior to commencing works.

The results of the ground surveys have informed our proposed design and foundations options for a replacement bridge. They have supported structural considerations for the proposed option and helped us understand possible improvements to resolve the existing road alignment and visibility constraints at the junction.

We do envisage that a new bridge design will look visually similar to the existing bridge as can be seen in in the computer-generated artist impression above, and our proposed design.

The bridge is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and as such we have designed a replacement bridge to be as similar as possible to the existing bridge with as minimal change as possible to the aesthetics of the area.

Emergency closure introduced 30 June 2023 following bridge inspection

Evidence of heavy corrosion and missing rivets in steel structure

An inspection of Boxted Bridge has raised new concerns regarding the bridge’s deteriorating condition and loading capacity. In light of this latest information we 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.

Alternative routes are available via:
1. Thorington Street, Lower Street, Higham Road, Stratford Road, Ipswich Road, Low Lift Cottage Road, Docuras Farm Road, Water Lane and vice versa (with access only into Church Street, Sky Hall Hill and Wick Road).

2. Skye Hall Hill, Dedham Road, Cooks Hill, Parsonage Hill, Church Road, Burnt Dick Hill, Park Road, Horkesley Hill, Bear Street, Birch Street, Stoke Road, Nayland Road, Church Street, Park Street, Park Road and vice versa (with access only into Church Street, Sky Hall Hill and Wick Road).

Please take additional care when travelling through the area, observing road signs in place.

Further updates will be shared as soon as details become available.

Further information

It is our intention to keep the community informed as the project develops.  The latest information will be shared on this webpage.

Additional information is included in the Document section below, including the latest Questions and Answers.  

Should you have a question directly related to Boxted Bridge which has not already been answered on this page you may wish to contact the project team directly by email: boxtedenquiries@essexhighways.org.

Boxted Bridge - Questions and Answers (25 November 2021)

The possibility of repairing the current structure was explored during the early stages of the Option Study process, prior to considering the replacement of the structure.

The structural form of the bridge, as well as its current condition, are prohibitive factors to undertaking effective structural repairs without replacing the structure as a whole. The bottom flanges of the transverse elements of the structure have deflected due to corrosion (refer to image 1). Replacing these elements would require the dismantling the inner deck apart from the main structural beams due to the configuration of the structure.

The main structural girders’ bottom flanges also present significant corrosion (refer to image 2). Due to the location and spacing of the rivets plate, bonding would not be effective to strengthen these elements and these beams would also require replacement.

In addition to the severely corroded steel beams, both abutments have large cracks from top to bottom (image 3 and 4). The north-east wingwall has also cracked and separated away from the abutment (image 5).

The rivets that give the structure its distinct look also prevent options to strengthen or effectively repair without the dismantling and replacing the entire deck.

Once these considerations were taken into account, the replacement options for the structure were included in the Option Study. Subsequent studies reflected this knowledge and also aim to address the additional issues that were being raised locally at the adjacent junction due to the tight highway space which has been a contributory factor in reported road traffic collisions.

For these reasons Boxted Bridge is deemed to be unviable for repair, and it would be uneconomical to do so. Investigations conducted during the feasibility study stage determined the replacement option was the best possible solution once it was established that repairing the existing structure was no longer considered a viable option.

The outcome concluded by Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd in May 2021, who were commissioned by Essex Highways to carry out an independent assessment report, was that a replacement bridge should be the preferred option.

The bridge was constructed in 1897 and is nearing the end of its natural lifespan, as can be seen by the visual deterioration on the structure. Proposals are being considered for replacing the structure as a long-term solution, with inspections to monitor the condition of the structure increased from every two years to every six months in the meantime.

Image 1 - Plate deflection of transverse beams
Image 2 - Corrosion of main edge girders
Image 3 - North Abutment
Image 4 - South Abutment
Image 5 - North-east wingwall

Following a number of ground investigations, surveys and studies which have informed our proposed design as well as feedback received from Boxted Parish Council to retain the trapezoidal view of the bridge, we have revised our scope for the bridge.

We have considered how junction alignment can be improved and propose a reduction to the soffit level of the bridge while allowing for a road alignment that does not affect access to the properties north or south of the structure after ruling out options that would negatively impact a nearby property access.

A change to the deck type has also been considered to help alleviate the impact to the waterway by reducing the overall size of the deck and investigations into potential impacts to the waterway continue. We now propose a filler beam deck supported on piled foundations.

Our design proposals illustrate that the new bridge design will look visually similar to the existing bridge. This has been illustrated by a computer-generated artist impression included below (image 6), which can be compared to a photograph of the existing bridge (image 7).

The bridge is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and as such we are designing a replacement bridge to be as similar as possible to the existing bridge with as minimal change as possible to the aesthetics of the area.

Image 6 - Computer generated artist impression of proposed bridge design

Image 7 - Existing structure

In accordance with the requirements of CD377 and CD127 the desirable minimum set-back value from a vehicle restraint system is 1200mm. We will be applying for a Departure from the standards to provide a reduced set-back compared to the desirable minimum proposed by the requirement, with no set back provided west of the structure and a reduced set back on the east. While attempts were made to eliminate the set back on the east side, the loading undertaken by the skewed edge beam prohibited eliminating the set-back entirely. Reducing the set back any further would result in a significantly larger beam required to undertake collision loading which would negatively affect the waterway area and/or the road profile.

Replacing the bridge with a structure that can undertake full highway loading is not an Essex Highways requirement, but a requirement from current standards. Any departure from the codes of practice (including the Eurocodes) would have to be justified based on the benefits or risks provided by the solution.

A recent Road Safety Audit has highlighted that there is risk of head collisions to road users due to poor inter-visibility at the junction due to the skewed alignment and vertical profile of the bridge, which we aim to improve with our proposal. The data provided show a clear risk of all vehicles failing to negotiate the current junction and highlight even further the need for improvements required at the junction.

A slightly wider footprint/road profile would help alleviate the existing collision risk by improving visibility and the manoeuvrability of vehicles on the bridge and at the junction, outweighing the disadvantages of replacing the structure on its existing footprint.

As outlined (in question 4) above, our recommendation is to replace the bridge with a slightly wider structure to minimise the risk of vehicle impact with the bridge and neighbouring private land which has been a long reported issue, and has been identified in the Road Safety Audit.

Our studies also recognise the difficulty that refuse collection and emergency service vehicles have when trying to navigate the junction currently.

We are not designing a slightly wider bridge to accommodate HGVs specifically, but are basing our design on the manoeuvre of a fire engine, keeping the visual appearance of the bridge as similar as possible to the existing structure.

It is intended that current signage to discourage the use of the route for non-suitable vehicles will remain in place. 

The introduction of a permanent structural weight limit of 3 tonnes gross vehicle weight was considered as part of the Option Study. This was not recommended as a solution as it would only be a short/medium term measure, and not a long-term solution for Boxted Bridge which condition reflects it is coming to the end of its life and requires replacement.

The introduction of this weight restriction would prohibit any vehicle weighing over 3 tonnes gross weight from using the bridge whether they be HGVs, local farm machinery, vehicles delivering supplies (for example oil deliveries) to residents and businesses in the area as well as refuse lorries and emergency service vehicles.

Current signage is designed to deter HGV traffic and as outlined (in question 5) above this is intended to stay.

There are no current plans to introduce a cycleway/footway over the bridge as there are no such provisions on the current bridge nor access routes on any surrounding roads to link them to. In addition, to introduce a cycleway/footway would require a much wider footprint than what we are currently proposing.

The bridge is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and as such we are designing the proposed replacement bridge to be as similar as possible to the existing one, with as minimal change as possible to the aesthetics of the area.

It is correct that bridges 0371 Mill House and 0372 Island, which are within vicinity of Boxted Bridge, are substandard assets. Based on current information neither of these two structures are prioritised in the upcoming programme of works, however they are being monitored on the same frequency as Boxted Bridge.

Essex Highways have approximately 1500 structures in Essex, all of which are deteriorating with age. We have a limited budget to address those which are suffering from structural issues so it is important that we assess them according to their need when prioritising works.

There are many stages that are carried out prior to undertaking structural works. This often includes increased monitoring assessments, option and feasibility studies, and design phases before beginning work planning. We also consider other major works in the area to minimise local inconvenience, before it is programmed and physical work can begin. All of these stages require the appropriate budget to be available which contributes to the lengthy process which can vary from scheme to scheme as it is often influenced by a number of other factors too.

It is our full intention to keep the community informed as the project develops including regular updates on this webpage.

Given the level of public interest and feedback received, we will submit our proposal through the Essex County Council planning process where comments raised will be considered.

The project team can be contacted by email boxtedenquiries@essexhighways.org if you have a question or concern you wish to raise that has not already been answered on our pages. Use of this email address is preferred as it will enable the project team to manage and respond to incoming enquiries as efficiently as possible.