A NEW £1.3million footbridge across a busy A127 junction is now under construction.

Southend Council has appointed a company to design and build a new footbridge road at Kent Elms as part of a major junction upgrade.

Kent-based Nusteel Structures won the contract for the footbridge to replace the one removed to allow the junction to be widened to three lanes each way.

Unlike the old footbridge, its replacement will have ramps as well as steps so that wheelchair-users and people pushing prams and buggies will be able to use it.

The former footbridge was removed over two consecutive nights in November last year to create room for the junction work.

The design for the new bridge will be based on other similar bridges manufactured by Nusteel – most notably the Home Gardens Footbridge in Dartford, Kent. Its detail was agreed by a design panel made up of representatives of the council’s culture, planning, major projects, and independent engineering specialists.

Tony Cox, councillor responsible for transport, waste and regulatory services, said: “During the consultation over the Kent Elms junction upgrade, members of the local community told us how important it was to keep a footbridge over the A127, so that local schoolchildren could cross safely.

“We listened and incorporated a new footbridge into our plans for the junction. The bridge will be pre-assembled off site and then constructed in components under overnight road closures.

“This is essentially the reverse of how we dismantled the former footbridge and successfully ensured that disruption to motorists was minimised.”

Jason Messenger from Nusteel Structures said: “We are delighted to be involved in this partnership project and very much look forward to building and installing this gateway structure. We believe that this improved access scheme will have a positive impact on the bridge users.”

The council is currently working with Nusteel to agree the detailed design and work programme and a date for commencement of the work is yet to be agreed.