Highways bosses have confirmed a temporary crossing will not be built alongside a 200-year-old bridge while replacement work takes place.

It means lorry drivers could face 15-mile diversions for up to five months while Finchingfield Bridge is being rebuilt.

Essex Highways says it has been agreed that a diversion route for drivers would be less disruptive than a temporary structure while the bridge is dismantled and rebuilt.

It means an official diversion route of about 15 miles will be in place for all vehicles, via Great Sampford, Hempstead and Steeple Bumpstead while the work takes place.

But in reality smaller vehicles will be able to use nearby country roads.

Graham Tobbell, Finchingfield council chairman, said: "We have plenty of very large vehicles, which have nothing to do with village trade, coming through the village.

"The diversion might mean the lorries find alternative routes which they can continue to use once the bridge re-opens."

The bridge spans Finchingfield’s picturesque pond and is the only road connecting the two sides of the village.

Essex Highways says it wants to begin investigation work, which will see the bridge close for five days, as soon as possible.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Our future intention is to dismantle the existing structure and replace the bridge with one built in the same location with a very similar look to the existing bridge.

“It is proposed the current width between the bridge walls will be maintained between new kerbs and a narrow hardened verge to offer some protection to the bridge parapets.”

“These proposals will lead to a bridge that will be up to 1.5 metres wider overall, but maintaining the same road width, so that the bridge continues to act as a traffic calming feature.

“There are no plans to include a footway as part of the scheme.”

A temporary bridge previously appeared to be the parish council’s preferred option for Finchingfield Parish Council until plans came to light showing the level of damage it would cause.

Mr Tobbell said: "A temporary bridge was going to mean that three village greens would have to be dug up.

“We spoke to businesses and the point was made that it was better to deal with a road closure than it would to see the greens decimated.

“You just don’t know how long it would take for them to recover. The preferred option was to just get it all over and done with."

Once the work on the bridge begins it is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.

An informal drop in session is expected to take place in the coming weeks for residents to view and discuss the proposals.