DRIVERS have been told to expect long delays over Easter as vital work is undertaken to repair a bridge in Colchester.

Essex County Council bosses plan to close one lane in both directions over the bridge, at the junction with Cowdray Avenue and Ipswich Road from midnight on Friday, March 30 to 5am on Tuesday, April 3.

Train services will also be suspended to the Clacton line, which runs underneath the bridge, as workers need access to the railway.

A letter from highways bosses to residents, states: “The work involved will require operatives to break out and remove concrete from underneath the structure and to apply a treatment to the corroded reinforcement.

“Substantial repairs will also be undertaken to the ornamental parapets at carriageway level on either side of the bridge.

“The activities being undertaken may cause continuous noise nuisance and inconvenience to local residents, including overnight.

"Pedestrian access will be maintained across the bridge during the works, however, we would advise motorists to allow extra time for their journeys and take additional care when passing through the area.”

Although County Hall chiefs say they hope the work would be finished on time, they could make no promises and, if needed, the works would remain in place until finished.

They also said if completed early the road would be fully reopened earlier.

A spokesman for Greater Anglia said: “As a result of Colchester Cowdray Avenue bridge repairs by Essex County Council, lines will be closed between Hythe and Colchester.

“Buses will replace trains between Hythe and Colchester all day.

“Trains will also run between Clacton and Colchester Town all day.”

Passengers travelling from Clacton will take a bus from the Hythe.

People travelling from Clacton will be able to complete their journeys – they will need to take the train from Clacton to Hythe, then a bus from Hythe to Colchester.”