HIGHWAY bosses say essential repairs are needed urgently to fix a bridge following a traffic collision.

Deadaway Bridge in Maldon Road, Latchingdon, was hit by a vehicle, damaging the parapets.

Emergency permission has been given by the Environment Agency to carry out the works from this week for six days.

Maldon Road will remain open at the bridge using temporary two-way traffic signals while work is completed.

Traffic flows will be monitored during peak times and lights adjusted to ease travel disruption as much as possible.

A highways spokesman said: “We appreciate these temporary roadworks may be unwelcome given other works already taking place in the local area and would like to apologise in advance for this.

“Due to the condition of the bridge it is important that we rectify the damage caused by the collision as soon as possible for public safety and to maintain continued use of the bridge.”

Meanwhile, highway bosses have again insisted that two major road closures are the “least-worst solution” to allow vital safety works to be completed.

The simultaneous closure of Fambridge Road and Mundon Road by Essex County Council has sparked anger from residents, businesses and councillors.

The county council says it is the least disruptive solution to allow urgent safety work to take place.

Infrastructure boss Kevin Bentley said: “We apologise sincerely to all those people who are inconvenienced by this work. We are not undertaking these works lightly – they need to be urgently completed for the safety of Essex road users and for the future prosperity of the Maldon district and the wider county.

“Mundon Wash Bridge does need replacing quickly for the safety of drivers using the road which runs over it.

“Similarly, the extensive developer road improvement works affecting Fambridge Road from Monday must be carried out in time to meet the needs of those new residents who will live locally.

“Some drivers will face a lengthy diversion during this period, but this cannot, unfortunately, be avoided given the circumstances we face.

“We are working very closely with Taylor Wimpey and their contractors to see when we can lift the northbound closure into Maldon in favour of traffic light or ‘stop/go’ board controls.

“Please bear with us while we make these key improvements to enable you to use these roads for many years ahead.”

Mundon Wash Bridge and Mundon Road are closed until October to allow Essex Highways to replace the weakening structure

Fambridge Road is due to fully re-open by June 21.