THE closure of a railway bridge for SIX MONTHS will not take place until the new year.

A series of overnight road closures were proposed in North Lane at Marks Tey Station Bridge this month.

This was for preparations to install a Vehicle Restraint Barrier System at the railway bridge.

The closures have now been put back to January 13.

An Essex Highways spokesman said: “This is to avoid disruption to local residents, businesses and Greater Anglia in the build up to and during the Christmas period.

“In order to carry out this work a temporary full road closure will be required and this will be put in place for all vehicles 24 hours a day over the bridge from January 13 until July.

“Arrangements are being made to ensure pedestrian access is maintained over the bridge. Further details will be provided nearer the time.”

During the road closure a signed vehicle diversion will be in place via North Lane, Brook Road, New Road, Halstead Road, Essex Yeomanry Way, London Road, A120 Marks Tey Interchange, Station Road and vice versa.

The bridge is owned and maintained by Network Rail.

Safety barriers, known as a vehicle restraint system, will be applied to all four points of the bridge.

The purpose is to reduce the likelihood of a vehicle leaving the carriageway at the bridge.

Advance warning notices will be in place.

The spokesman added: “We urge all drivers to observe the traffic management and signage in place during the works and take additional care and drive cautiously through the area.

“In particular, please be aware that vehicles, including long vehicles travelling to and from businesses located in North Lane, will have no alternative but to follow the diversion route during closures.”