A VITAL bridge connecting Colchester to several villages may not be repaired for another two years, highways bosses have admitted.

Severalls Bridge was seriously damaged in March 2020 when a lorry carrying a digger hit the structure.

Since then, temporary traffic lights have been put in place, causing bottlenecks for commuters travelling to and from the villages of Langham, Boxted, and Great Horkesley

By August 2020, National Highways had inspected the structure and announced the bridge beams will need to be replaced as part of the repair work.

Gazette: Chaos – police had to shut the A12 when the bridge was struck in 2020Chaos – police had to shut the A12 when the bridge was struck in 2020 (Image: Johan Mahoney-Berg)

Last summer, a National Highways spokesman said the bridge may not be fully operational until 2025 – but now, the repair works may not be finished until 2026.

In an email sent by National Highways to one resident, a member of staff for National Highways conceded the damage has caused frustration for commuters.

When the Gazette contacted National Highways, a spokesman said the organisation is progressing with the design “and are aiming to carry out the repair work on site during 2025-26”.

Commuters were left frustrated by the revelation. 

One Colchester resident said: “It’s one excuse after the other – they started off by saying it was Covid and then they said they couldn’t get the engineers on the bridge.

“It’s kicking the can down the road.

“Everybody seems to just slump their shoulders."

Should the repairs not be completed by 2026, the bridge will have been operating a one-way system for six years.

He continued: “There’s no opportunity for even our local representatives to shake the tree and get the big stick out.

Gazette: Closure – the A12 will close before the bridge is repaired, National Highways has saidClosure – the A12 will close before the bridge is repaired, National Highways has said (Image: Google Street View)

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if there’s another excuse that comes up and everything gets pushed further and further down the road."

Closing the A12 remains an option as part of the bridge repairs.

A National Highways spokesman said: “We will still require road closures both over the bridge and on the A12.”