Plans to replace a bridge in Newport by Essex County Council have been criticised as a waste of money by the deputy leader of Uttlesford District Council.

Wicken Fen bridge has stood for 44 years at the bottom of School Lane, and is a reinforced concrete structure over a stream which takes the weight of buses and bin lorries.

Cllr Neil Hargreaves, of Residents 4 Uttlesford (R4U), said: "Their detailed engineering investigation, obtained by FOI, shows it to be in perfect condition.

"They even core sampled it to prove it does not have concrete cancer.

"It may not be attractive, but it has no cracks, no movement, and has withstood severe floods. Despite this Essex have decided it is not built to the required current standard."

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Replacing the bridge will cost £350,000, and would require the bridge to be closed for 12 weeks - potentially causing problems for school buses which use the bridge as a one-way system for the Joyce Frankland Academy.

Cllr Hargreaves raised concerns that, judging by recent bridge works in Thaxted, the work would take weeks, not months, and that for the work to take place healthy trees would need to be removed in a Conservation Area so that a crane could access the site.

He said: "Maybe they have some statutory duty, but surely common sense would be to keep a watching brief on the structure, and have a plan ready if needed."

An Essex Highways spokesperson said: "The outcome of a recent inspection of Wicken Fen Bridge, located on School Lane in Newport, showed that although the bridge itself was in a good condition, its maximum capacity is only 7.5 tonnes.

"Given the nature of the roads surrounding the bridge and its use by heavier vehicles, we felt the bridge could no longer meet its requirements and needed to be strengthened.

"With a limited budget, we must prioritise our works based on the safety of the public.

"For that reason, the works to this bridge have been prioritised and added to our capital works programme. We would not carry out works if they were unnecessary."