Two key bridges on Canvey are among the first in the county to undergo vital strengthening work demanded by Brussels bureaucrats, it was revealed today.

A European ruling has demanded that all bridges in Britain must be able to withstand the weight of 40 tonne lorries, following legislation which allowed the hefty lorries on British roads from January 1 this year.

The previous maximum weight was 38 tonnes.

Highways bosses say traffic jams on Canvey will be kept to an absolute minimum as work reaches its peak - thanks to work already carried out to provide a slip road from Canvey Way to the A13 at Sadlers Farm.

In contrast, Southend motorists can expect a summer of chaos as vital repairs are undertaken at Priory Bridge - the main link between eastern Southend and the A127 at Cuckoo Corner.

Without the £320,000 work on the two bridges linking Canvey to the mainland, trade and industry on the island would be dealt a crippling blow because weight restrictions would have to be put in force.

By July, the final £170,000 phase of work to repair and replace worn out and corroded bearings should be finished at the East Haven bridge which supports Canvey Way.

Another £153,000 is being spent to protect supports for the bridge across Benfleet creek on the B1014 Canvey Road.

Altogether the improvements being carried out over several years to both bridges amounts to £1 million.

Highways chairman Ray Howard, who represents Canvey West, welcomed the work and said: "It is essential that this work is carried out because of the tankers going to the oil and methane terminals, and the huge lorries going to the industrial estate.

"We have a population of 40,000 who rely on the bridges. These works should not cause any major hold-ups because the civil engineering works can be done from underneath the bridges.

"Quite frankly, it has been a nightmare across the county since Brussels imposed this upon us. Canvey will be done this year but other bridges across the county will have to wait, with a final county completion date of 2009.

"I am delighted that Canvey has taken priority."

The latest work was approved by Essex County Council's highways and transportation committee, as part of its £3 million county wide bridge strengthening programme.

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