A 123-year-old bridge could be replaced in a £25 million-plus project following concerns residents are ‘taking their lives into their own hands’ by crossing it.

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) has applied to the government for funding to replace the ageing Langrick Bridge, near Boston.

The wrought iron structure, which was built in 1903 to replace a ferry service, is a single-lane bridge that crosses over the River Witham.

The council said the traffic-light-controlled bridge, which forms part of the B1192, has a number of issues issues including its narrow width, its restricted weight capacity and the increasing costs of maintaining the structure.

placeholder image — Langrick Bridge. Photo Google Maps

Ian Booth, principal engineerfor structures at LCC, said many cyclists who have used the bridge have raised safety concerns.

At an LCC highways and transport scrutiny committee on Monday, September 14, Mr Booth said: “Currently they (residents) feel like they’re taking their lives in their own hands crossing the existing bridge due to the limitations that exist.

“We do have support regarding improving the national cycle route over the proposed new structure.”

The council has been looking to replace the bridge since at least 2017, but has so far been unsuccessful in attracting funding.

The authority is now seeking £24.7 million from the department for transport to help pay for a solution.

The council would also contribute another £1.5 million on top of this to make up the remaining costs.

If the bid is successful, a new three-span bridge would be built to the west of the current structure.

Committee vice chairman Thomas Sneath (Reform UK – Holbeach) said: “Ultimately, we’re going to have to replace the bridge and I don’t fancy the executive having to find £25 million to replace a bridge when we could be successful for £1.5 million, or a little bit more, depending on what we find when we start the project.”

Officials said that a new bridge would help to improve access for local communities and promote economic growth in the surrounding area.

The route was closed for emergency repairs in 2022 to replace expansion joints that connect the bridge to the road.

Officials said that a bid for the funding was submitted on August 3 and they expect decision from the Government in the autumn.

The authority says there is little chance of it being able to fund the large project by itself.

But officials have also warned there’s a risk that the bridge will deteriorate further and could have to close in the long term without additional investment.

A suggestion that the scheme would have a knock-on effect on traffic in Boston was labelled ‘ambitious’ by Coun Richard Wright (Conservative – Ruskington),