Always on
This project successfully funded on 5th May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Let’s Get Boxted Bridge Tested For Vehicle Use
Colchester, United Kingdom
Aim
Raise £12300 for a Dynamic Load Test of Boxted Bridge to determine its capacity for vehicles 8,400 people and all local councils want repair
Why Re Opening The Bridge Matters
Boxted Bridge needs to be tested. Essex Highways closed it without providing satisfactory evidence. Since 2020 they have sought to demolish it in favour of an expensive and disruptive new structure. Our expert advises that one proper test can provide decisive unbiased evidence, whether the bridge remains fit or the purpose of carrying vehicles as well as pedestrians. With your support we will make sure such a test is carried out.
Situation So Far
We have successfully campaigned for 6 years to prevent listed Boxted bridge from being demolished and replaced with a much wider bridge suitable for HGVs. Last April Essex County Council Planning Committee unanimously agreed the replacement bridge proposal was inappropriate and unnecessary in the middle of a rural network of single track lanes in the heart of the Dedham Vale National Landscape. They took the highly unusual step to defer their decision until more information was provided on repair and like for like options. But EH have not respected this request and no further information has been provided.
Despite earlier reassurances that they were committed to looking at repair options Essex Highways (EH) unaccountably cancelled the agreed patented Mann Williams Dynamic Load Test. This test was strongly recommended by Ed Morton, the eminent conservation engineer, and was agreed by previous Portfolio Holder for Highways, Cllr Tom Cunningham. Ed Morton continues strongly to recommend this test, see recent letter to ECC. If this test had gone ahead it would by now have informed on the capability and strength of the whole bridge.
EH then proceeded to get an alternative load test limited in scope for pedestrian and cycles only. Unsurprisingly this test confirmed the bridge is perfectly safe for cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge has been partially unblocked to allow for this use.
However, EH are now proposing a Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit all motorised vehicles across the bridge PERMANENTLY - without any justification or evidence that the bridge cannot support any vehicles.
Next Steps
This is where you can help us! Please support our crowdfunding appeal to ensure that the impartial Mann Williams test takes place by an accredited conservation engineer and that the repair option is fairly put on the table.
Jon Avent, Director of Mann Williams and provider of structural advice to the National Trust says: "The Innovative and Patented equipment enables accurate and exact insitu performance characteristics to be determined from any structure, thus avoiding conservative assumptions and speculation"
Listen to the views of supportive Essex County Councillor, Lewis Barber, and Colchester City Councillor, Darius Laws, urging for investigations into repair.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made