Little Baddow Parish Council is delighted to announce that Paper Mill Bridge will remain in its present location, ensuring this much favoured setting will stay as a constant feature of Little Baddow Village.

On  Tuesday, 1st November, following fourteen months of negotiation, Councillor Peter Irvine, Chairman of Little Baddow Parish Council, Chelmsford City Councillor, Stephanie Scott and Councillor John Spence Cabinet Member for Essex County Council met with members of Essex County Council Highways Department. The outcome was the news that Paper Mill Bridge is to stay in its present location.

At the meeting were other Cabinet members, representatives of the City Council, together with several Highways personnel.  John Spence opened the meeting and then handed over to the spokesperson for Highways.  We were told that Paper Mill Lock Bridge would not be demolished nor would a new bridge and causeway be constructed.  It was decided that some form of barrier would be installed to prevent any parking on the bridge which the Parish Council will be consulted on. The bridge was (by Highways)  found to be capable of withstanding considerable loading above the present restriction of 7.5 tonnes, but this restriction would remain in place with an exception for Emergency Vehicles.

The petition to ‘Save Our Bridge’ was of exceptional benefit and much gratitude to all eleven hundred plus people who took the time to sign the petition. All members of Little Baddow Parish Council, Councillor John Spence and many residents of the village have worked tirelessly to ensure the case to keep the existing Bridge was irrefutable.

The Council would like to specifically extend their thanks to Councillor John Spence for his considerable work behind the scenes, which he is continuing to do on our behalf with other issues the village faces.

Councillor Peter Irvine – Chairman and all members of Little Baddow Parish Council