“UNSAFE” bridge repairs are leaving parents at risk of tripping over, leaving workers with no choice but to overhaul the “botched” job.

Essex Highways carried out repairs to crumbling concrete on the footbridge between the Wick and Wickford town centre, but teams have been slammed for the “unsafe” work.

It appears a plate of metal, topped with felt, was used to cover up the broken bridge at three sections.

A furious Michelle Tuddenham, slammed Essex County Council, who have been forced to apologise.

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The 40-year-old, who lives near the Wick, and uses the footbridge almost everyday, said: “How can they get away with this?

“Concrete is crumbling all over the bridge.

“This really isn’t good enough.

“It’s only about five millimetres off the ground, it’s so easy to trip over.

“I have to watch the floor when I’m walking over the bridge.

“It’s dangerous and unsafe.”

The metal plates will be removed and replaced within seven days, Essex Highways confirmed to the Echo.

Bosses insist the bridge is safe to use.

Parents have been spotted catching their pram wheels on the metal plate.

One commented on social media: “I walked over the bridge today and caught the wheel of the pram on that “repair”, thank goodness my toddler was strapped in or else he’d have been thrown out.”

Mrs Tuddenham added: “The bridge is really dodgy and really isn’t safe.

“It’s the main route from the Wick to the town centre. It’s not like nobody uses it.

“Drastic repairs need to be done to it.

“Parents use it everyday.

“I was more than shocked to think that Essex County Council think this is a good repair. It was completely botched.”

The three repairs were finished earlier this week.

An Essex Highways spokesperson said: “We have recognised that the plates installed here by contractors are not compatible with our engineer’s design and so we are working to remove them as soon as possible.

“We will fix new plates within seven days and we can assure the public that the footbridge remains safe to use in the meantime. We apologise for any problems this has caused to pedestrians on the bridge.”

 

“We will fix new plates within seven days and we can assure the public that the footbridge remains safe to use in the meantime.

“We apologise for any problems this has caused to pedestrians on the bridge.”