RESIDENTS have called on council bosses to hurry up and take the action required to reopen a busy pedestrian bridge in Colchester which remains closed five years on.

Back in 2019 Essex County Council cordoned off a bridge for cyclists and pedestrians next to Hythe Station Road after it was no longer deemed safe.

As a result, it has become increasingly difficult for residents to cross the River Colne near Hythe station without having to cross the road. 

Despite frequent campaigning by ward councillors such as Lee Scordis and previously Adam Fox, the bridge has yet to be reopened to the public. 

Residents such as Dagmar Engelken, a mother of two, are now becoming increasingly frustrated. 

She said: “The bridge next to Hythe Station Road has been closed for years.  

“The other pedestrian bridge near the pharmacy is still operating but try crossing Hythe Quay, opposite that bridge.

“And there is no pedestrian crossing further down the river.  

“There is a tiny traffic island by the Colne Causeway roundabout, or if you come from New Town and Old Heath via Distillery Lane and want to cross Haven Road by the lightship, but there is no pedestrian crossing there either. 

“They put up a traffic light there about ten years ago, but it's never been operational.  

“So, there’s no possible route getting from New Town towards Hythe Station that is safe for pedestrians or children on their bikes.” 

Hythe Station Road has a pedestrian walkway, but people need to cross the road up to two times in order to be able to reach it. 

Essex Highways, which manages the closure, has now said options for a re-opening of the bridge are being reviewed by the authority, but budget limitations are causing delays. 

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Old Hythe Bridge closed after it reached the end of its serviceable life and became a risk to pedestrians, with the adjacent New Hythe Bridge now giving full access instead. 

“Options for Old Hythe Bridge are being reviewed, however with a limited budget to manage over 1,600 aging structures across Essex, works must be carefully prioritised. 

“We always encourage residents to voice any concerns through our online Tell Us tool at essexhighways.org/tell-us."