THURROCK Council has announced that the demolition of the old Horndon on the Hill to Stanford-le-Hope footbridge over the A13 will be demolished over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, 6 and 7 of March.

Its replacement is already in situ and the work on the approach path to it is close to completion. It is expected to be opened to the public by the end of this coming weekend.

During the demolition weekend the A13 will be closed from the Orsett Cock Roundabout to the Manorway in both directions from 9pm on Friday 5 March to 5am on Monday, 8 March.

During this time the regular diversions and signposting associated with the A13 widening will be in place, with traffic diverted via the old St5anford Road. There will be traffic restrictions in Horndon on the Hill.

The new footbridge will also be closed over the weekend that demolition is taking place so there will be no direct pedestrian, cycle of horse-riding access from Horndon to Stanford.

The council says: "The work to demolish Horndon Bridge will generate noise and vibration and we would like to apologise in advance for the disturbance this causes nearby residents.

"Dust suppression equipment will be used on site to minimise the spread of dust produced by the demolition. This produces a fine mist which may be visible in the air but does not pose a risk to human health."

The new bridge will be part of the bridleway which means it will be suitable for use by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. The approaches to it are sloped, not stepped and the surface comprises 'horse-friendly' tiles, made from recycled tyres.