METAL fencing which Essex County Council had said would be a “temporary” measure to protect pedestrians from overhead cables will serve as a “long-term permanent replacement”, it has been revealed. 

Cowdray Avenue Bridge, which was opened in 1933, has been lined with heras fencing since in 2014 as a safety measure.

This was later replaced with black fencing when work was completed at the Ipswich Road roundabout. 

In an email seen by the Gazette, Tom Cunningham – Essex County Council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure, and sustainable transport – described the fencing as having been installed “as a temporary solution and not the ultimate desired solution”.

But Essex County Council has now confirmed the current fencing, which has been described by one resident as “a complete dog’s dinner”, is set to stay.

The statement also clarified a previous statement which said that the fencing had been put up at Network Rail’s request.

Gazette: Permanent – Essex County Council said the new fencing will be a long-term solutionPermanent – Essex County Council said the new fencing will be a long-term solution (Image: Google Street View)

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “Temporary fencing was initially installed to prevent access and protect pedestrians from the overhead lines.

“Over the years it became unsightly and in poor repair.

“Essex County Council agreed a suitable long-term permanent replacement with Network Rail, more aesthetically suited to the location, while still providing the necessary protection required.”

When approached by the Gazette, Network Rail confirmed the maintenance of the fencing was the council’s responsibility, and not that of Network Rail.

A statement read: “We can confirm that the bridge on Cowdray Avenue, identified as Bridge COC 1001A, is owned and maintained by Essex County Council.

Gazette: Unsightly – Essex County Council accepted the previous fencing had become 'unsightly and in poor repair'Unsightly – Essex County Council accepted the previous fencing had become 'unsightly and in poor repair' (Image: Newsquest)

“The fences surrounding this bridge have also been maintained by them.

“Network Rail's ownership and maintenance responsibility are limited to the nearby bridge around the corner [in Ipswich Road], identified as Bridge COC 1002.”

Alex Miles, who has endured a long-running battle with the authorities over the state of the bridge, previously told the Gazette he had expected Essex County Council to simply leave the fencing as a long-term measure, even though it had initially been described as temporary.

He said: “Primarily, I would say it looks terrible.

“It’s a historic bridge and they’ve just done a short-term fix and they’re doing to leave it.

“They kicked it into the long grass thinking it would just go away.”