Wickford East Bridge, Lower Southend Road

Works location and photos

Wickford East Bridge
Wickford East Bridge

About the works

Essex Highways are making preparations to carry out necessary strengthening works and repairs to Wickford East Bridge on Lower Southend Road in Wickford, to ensure it remains safe for public use and to enhance its long-term durability.

The work will involve the application of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) and steel plates on the bridge deck soffit, along with blast cleaning and repainting all exposed steelwork.

While most of the work can be done from the river below the bridge, we are engaging with local landowners to request temporary use of their land for site access, storage, and worker facilities.

How it will affect you

Traffic management will be required to reduce the load on the bridge while strengthening measures are applied, and this will be adjusted according to the location of the work. Temporary traffic lights will be required to manage the flow of traffic, providing continued use by pedestrians and vehicles.

The project will follow Environment Agency requirements to minimise impact, and to prevent materials from entering the river.

We anticipate the work will take around 24 weeks to complete, however the programme will be determined by the appointed contractor in due course.  Further details will be available when permissions are in place and timeframes are confirmed.

It should also be noted that safe completion of the works will depend on water levels in the River Crouch, so there may be occasions when the work cannot go ahead as planned.

Further information

Please note that the programme may be subject to change if affected by poor weather or if unexpected issues arise.

We aim to keep residents and businesses updated via this webpage and site signage. Information will also be shared with local parish councils.

For details about other roadworks in the area please visit: one.network or our Facebook page and @essexhighways Twitter feed.