Hoe Mill Bridge, Woodham Walter

Works location and photos

About the scheme

Hoe Mill Bridge carries The Causeway over the River Chelmer in Woodham Walter, south of Ulting.

The bridge is known to be in a weakened condition.

Essential erosion protection measures were carried out in 2019, and the bridge has also seen enforcement of its 3 tonne weight limit with the installation of a temporary physical restriction during 2020.  This temporary restriction is designed to minimise further deterioration of the bridge and prevent vehicles from parking on the bridge until long term improvements to the bridge are made.  

September 2021 - signage replacement

Signage replacement activities were carried out during September 2021 and completed with the support of temporary traffic signals.  A map of the signage locations are included in the Document section below.

New sign installation

Postponed ground investigations originally arranged for September 2021 will be rearranged and communicated in due course. 

What’s next

An Option Study has been conducted to explore a number of engineering options designed to identify a suitable long-term solution.  Our plans are in the first stages of this process.   Once an option has been identified and agreed, and subject to the necessary funding being available, Essex Highways will move into a design phase which will be followed by a period of work planning before physical works can begin.  The length of this process can vary from scheme to scheme and take a number of years which can be influenced by a number of other factors.  

We will work closely with the Environment Agency and other stakeholders throughout this process to progress this work.

There are other structures in the vicinity that require future attention so this will also be considered when planning a programme of works, thus ensuring any inconvenience to local residents and businesses is minimised as much as reasonably practicable.