A FORMER MP has called Colchester Council’s lack of action an “environmental disaster” almost a year after a river weir collapsed.

For months, residents and community groups have been urging the council to find a way to restore the weir and bridge over the River Colne in Lower Castle Park following the collapse on December 10 last year. 

Approaching the one-year anniversary of the collapse, the condition of the weir is unchanged and the bridge remains closed. 

Councillor Tim Young raised the issue at a council meeting, saying: "I think there’s frustration around that it’s taking so long and the Labour group shares in that frustration.

Closed - The bridge remains closedClosed - The bridge remains closed (Image: Newsquest)

"It shouldn’t take a year, surely, to repair that, because it is a route that is used by children going to school, by pensioners, and people with disabilities, and it needs to be repaired as soon as possible because access along there is meaning at least a 15-minute increase in journey times for people using that bridge.“ 

Council leader David King said: “We have pushed this as fast as we can and we’re working with the county and will have more to say on that shortly.” 

Lib Dem councillor Martin Goss agreed that it seemed like the work was slow, but due to the complexity of the issue, a decision on the way forward was yet to be made. 

Costs for a new weir, which the Environmental Agency did not deem a necessity, could be up to £1,000,000, with a fish gate ranging between £50,000 and £250,000. 

The council, alongside Essex County Council, needs to find a contractor to remove the bricks from the river, which could go on up to February 2025, before work can begin. 

Disappointed - Sir Bob Russell called the lack of action a 'disaster'Disappointed - Sir Bob Russell called the lack of action a 'disaster' (Image: Public)

Former Colchester MP Sir Bob Russel said he was disappointed with the lack of progress, calling it the worst ineptitude he had seen at Colchester Council in 60 years. 

He said: “The council has failed to get that bridge reopened. This is an environmental disaster and a huge obstacle for pedestrians and cyclists. 

“The bureaucracy around it is breath-taking. You have a gate there protecting it better than Fort Knox, which cost thousands of pounds. The council is capable of finding money for fences but coming up a year, the bridge is not fixed.”