A CAMPAIGNING councillor has called for repairs to be carried out on a dangerous footbridge which has turned into an “eyesore” since being closed two years ago.

Essex Highways bosses shut the Old Hythe footbridge, in Hythe Station Road, Colchester, in May 2020 following concerns over the structure’s integrity.

Since then the overpass has been out of action and Lee Scordis, Essex councillor for the Abbey division, says little has been done to address the problem.

In a bid to highlight the lack of action, last year Lee, alongside fellow councillors Adam Fox and Mike Lilley, "celebrated" the first birthday of the incomplete works.

At the time, Essex Highways described the project as complex but said it had entered into a "pre-design stage" for the new structure.

More than one year on, Lee has now once again called on Essex Highways to begin renovating the footbridge for the sake of the city and its residents.

Gazette: NewsquestNewsquest (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “Time and again this is delayed and delayed and Colchester is left behind. 

“Like the horrible herras fencing on the bridge on Cowdray Avenue and the vile red barriers on East Street Bridge, this bridge has been left an eyesore and inaccessible. 

“No surveyors or Highways staff have been seen for the last two years on site. We talk about wanting to improve walking and cycling and this bridge offered both. 

“Delayed works like this are symptomatic of 12 years of Government cuts - the structures team has minimal staff and no money to do all these vital repairs.”

Bosses at Essex Highways have now said they are carrying out an option study investigating whether the Old Hythe footbridge bridge can be repaired or needs to be reconstructed.

A spokesman said: “The bridge carries numerous utility services and therefore any works to the bridge will be very expensive. 

“The study is due to be completed by the end of this financial year but may continue into next year. 

“Once we have a recommended option and funding available, we will be liaising with local councillors before moving into the design stages of the project.

“Engineers continue to investigate the various problems with Cowdray Avenue and East Bridges, they both have complex issues to resolve and therefore will take time to progress. 

“However, we are currently working on solutions to replace the Heras fencing at Cowdray Avenue Bridge and are waiting for designs to be completed.

"The vegetation that had grown between the Heras fencing and the bridge parapets has recently been removed.”