Medieval bridge damaged a year ago still not repaired

Connie Tregidon fears for her animals in a plot below the bridge

Repairing a medieval bridge that was damaged after a lorry hit it more than a year ago is now a "matter of urgency", claims a resident.

Toppesfield Bridge, which is Grade II listed, crosses the River Brett at Hadleigh, Suffolk and is thought to date from the 14th century.

It was damaged last year but, according to resident Connie Tregidon, no work has been carried out to repair it.

Suffolk Highways said it was in discussion with Historic England and no start date for the works had been determined.

Ms Tregidon has used scaffolding to support the bridge

"This is a very busy road and the longer they're leaving it is causing more damage," Ms Tregidon told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"The [crack] in the parapet where it was hit is getting larger, so it isn't going to be that much longer until it will potentially fall.

"That's going to be even more of a job than trying to source everything [now] to try and repair it completely."

The bridge was damaged after a lorry hit it in 2023

Ms Tregidon has a plot underneath the bridge where she keeps livestock. She fears the geese and goats will be injured should the bridge collapse.

In an attempt to improve the situation, she has placed scaffolding around the damaged bridge to support it.

But she wants Suffolk Highways to begin work sooner rather than later.

"It is very frustrating that nothing has been done in a year," she continued.

"It needs to be sorted out as soon as possible otherwise we're going to lose it completely.

"It is a matter of urgency now."

Livestock including geese and goats live beneath the bridge

A Suffolk Highways spokesperson said: "We are in discussions with Historic England regarding repairs to Toppesfield Bridge, however a start date is yet to be confirmed.

"Once a start date has been agreed, we will communicate the full details to the local community and stakeholders."