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Thursday, September 25, 2008, 08:49
County and parish councillors from Thaxted say it is folly to spend thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on reconstructing historic Folly Mill Bridge, on an isolated country lane off the B184 Dunmow to Thaxted Road.
Similar reconstruction projects on other bridges in Essex have cost over £100,000.
Essex County Council says a Brussels Directive insists the 1940s bridge on Folly Mill Lane, which has a three tonne limit, is reviewed because it could collapse, and national standards decree it must take 40 tonnes.
The project will also mean demolishing then reconstructing a 17th century wall to the neighbouring Grade II listed house and making the bridge 13ft wide.
Parish council chairman John Freeman, whose family has farmed the land either side of the bridge for 40 years, said: "The lane is only 8ft wide, so to make the bridge up to 40 tonnes seems ludicrous."
Aside from the potential cost, residents and councillors fear the upgrade will encourage heavy vehicles to use the route bringing disruption to small hamlets in the area.
Thaxted county councillor Simon Walsh raised concerns about the lane becoming a route for large trucks. He asked: "Why such a big bridge for such a small road?"
Other objections include the impact on the historic setting, the destruction of wildflower banks, and the hazard of increased traffic.
Planning chief Roy Leavitt said: "Having regard to the need for the facility, and the absence of planning harm caused, it is considered acceptable to grant planning permission and the Listed Building Consent for the proposed works."
A council spokesperson said: "We are not intending to encourage heavy vehicles to use it."
The proposal will be discussed at a development committee meeting on Friday.
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