Restoration work on one of Chelmsford’s historic footbridges has reached an important milestone, bringing the Grade II listed Seymour Street Bridge in Central Park a step closer to being preserved for future generations.
Chelmsford City Council commissioned the project earlier this year to repair the deteriorating structure, which connects Central Park with Seymour Street, helping to protect its heritage and ensure it remains safe for residents and visitors to use.
After works began in May, it became clear the bridge required more extensive repairs than first anticipated. This led to engineers and surveyors undertaking a detailed assessment behind the scenes to understand the condition of the structural parts of the bridge, particularly its underside, and to determine the level of restoration required to preserve the bridge.
The council has now received the findings of that assessment, which encouragingly found that the bridge can be repaired without the need for major strengthening works. Now the extent of repairs is known, work can continue and is hoped to be completed by the end of the year, subject to weather conditions and the river’s water levels over the colder months.
Repairs needed more extensive than anticipated
Work began in early summer, including repairs to the bridge's distinctive parapets. However, once contractors gained access to the underside of the structure, it became clear that the condition of the curved beams supporting the bridge was significantly worse than originally anticipated and more specialist investigation was needed before its restoration could continue.
As a result, the council commissioned a detailed survey and structural assessment of the bridge. The findings, received in a report last week, confirmed the extent of the repairs required to the structure.
The report concluded that, while the necessary works are more extensive than initially anticipated, the bridge can be repaired without additional load testing, temporary support structures, and strengthening works that could have caused long delays. A programme of works will now be agreed for the remaining repairs to be completed.
Seymour Street Bridge closed while repairs planned
For safety reasons, Seymour Street Bridge remains closed to pedestrians while plans for the next phase of repairs are developed and the necessary works are commissioned.
Seymour Street Bridge is a Grade II listed structure and an important part of Chelmsford's heritage. The restoration project aims to protect the historic bridge while preserving it for future generations to enjoy.
A bridge is first shown over the River Can linking Seymour Street and Central Park on the 1895 Ordnance Survey map, however after the original timber bridge fell into a state of disrepair, it was replaced with the current bridge in 1954. Constructed of reinforced concrete, Seymour Street Bridge took much inspiration from Stone Bridge, which dates back to 1791 and is found further east along the river in the city centre. It gained Grade II listed status on account of its special architectural and historic interest. The bridge has fallen into a poor condition due to water causing corrosion and cracking in the concrete.
Councillor Rose Moore, Cabinet Member for a Greener Chelmsford confirmed that, with the survey results in, the final phase of repairs can now begin.
"We recognise that the closure of Seymour Street Bridge has been frustrating, and we want to thank everyone for bearing with us while the necessary investigations have taken place.
“Although much of the work so far has happened out of sight, those detailed surveys have been essential to ensure the right repairs are carried out. With that stage now complete, we’re pleased that the final phase of restoration can begin.
“Our priority is to return this much-loved bridge to the community as quickly as possible, while ensuring it's safe and fit for the future. We’re grateful for residents’ continued patience and we’ll provide an update on reopening as soon as we have more information to share. In the meantime, another crossing is available, around a minute’s walk away, via the bridge behind Virgin Active and Essex County Cricket Club.”Councillor Rose Moore, Cabinet Member for a Greener Chelmsford
