Department for Transport (DfT) Structures Fund
Essex County Council has submitted a bid, to secure funding from the Department for Transport’s 2026 Structures Fund. This fund supports local authorities in delivering essential maintenance, strengthening or replacing critical highway structures that would otherwise be unaffordable within existing budgets.
The bid is for the refurbishment of three structures to allow for the continued safe operation along the A130 Canvey Way; namely: East Haven Viaduct (ECC No. 0650), Bowers Hall Bridge (ECC No. 0649) and Jotmans Bridge (ECC No. 0648). All three structures are in poor condition with substandard elements identified via inspections and load carrying assessments and therefore need improvement.
Canvey Island submission summary
Canvey Island is an island coastal community of over 40,000 residents and around 2,300 registered businesses, with only two access routes.
Canvey Island is uniquely vulnerable due to its geography, much of the island lies approximately 2m below sea level. While sea defences and a purpose-built sea wall have been upgraded following the loss of 53 lives during a catastrophic flood in 1953, there remains a high risk of flooding.
The A130 Canvey Way is the island’s only unrestricted access route. The alternative route, the B1014, passes beneath a low headroom Network Rail bridge, meaning the A130 is the sole route for HGVs and abnormal loads. Maintaining these structures would also help reduce congestion on local roads, benefiting bus passengers, cyclists and motorists.
These are vital for daily travel, emergency evacuation during flooding and incident response linked to nearby petrochemical facilities.
The proposed package forms a major comprehensive maintenance scheme that would refurbish all three structures along the A130 Canvey Way to ensure their continued safe operation.
Works include bridge bearing replacement/ refurbishment, parapet replacement pier strengthening, concrete repairs and chloride protections measures, waterproofing, carriageway and footway resurfacing, carriageway joint and drainage replacement.
Costs and delivery
The estimated cost of the proposed works is £19.97m.
ECC have bid for £15.8m funding with a contribution of £4.12m.
The DFT will announce funding awards in Autunm 2026.
Should ECC be successful:
• Design works will commence immediately and will continue through 2027/28.
• Works will be competitive tendered in the Spring 2028
• Site works to commence in Autumn 2028 with completion End of March 2030.
This is in line with the DFT funding restrictions
Benefits of the scheme
Delivering these works would:
• Extend the serviceable life of all three structures
• Maintain reliable access to essential services and local businesses
• Reduce congestion on surrounding roads, benefiting bus passengers, cyclists and motorists
• Improve network resilience and reduce severance
• Support access during incidents or roadworks on diversion routes
The user benefits are assessed as positive. Overall, the scheme provides strong support for retaining the A130 Canvey Way as Canvey Island’s primary route especially for HGVs.