Tributes have been paid to a father who lost his life after colliding with a car near a single lane bridge.

The 54-year-old man, known locally as Tony Dredger and nicknamed 'Soap', was riding his green Triumph motorcycle when he crashed with a blue Hyundai I20 at around 7pm on Chipping Hill on Sunday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Friends paid tribute to Mr Dredger, who was a former member of the South Essex Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club, on Tuesday.

Sidney Stanley posted on the Braintree Times site: “I’m so very saddened on hearing this news of Soapy.

“A diamond of a mate who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

“Condolences to Lorna and all the family.

“RIP Soap aka Tony Dredger.”

Mick Chester commented: “I am so sad to hear this news Soapy, you were a great mate.

“All my thoughts are with you Lorna, hope you are well.

“RIP Tony, you will be missed.”

Ian Pennock, a 60-year-old boat builder of Calamint Road, heard the accident as he was driving home from Morrisons and stopped to perform CPR on Mr Dredger.

He said: “I heard the bang first of all and thought, I know what that was.

“Nobody saw the crash as far as I know.

“It happened on the brow of the hill near the church, going down towards the bridge.

“I stopped and there were a couple of people there on their phones to the emergency services and the two women from the car were sitting on the bank.

“I saw the cyclist on his side, almost in the recovery position - I put my hand on his back and I could feel him breathing."

Mr Pennock was taking instructions from two people both on the phone to the ambulance service, who suggested he roll him over and take his crash helmet off.

Mr Pennock was giving CPR for five to ten minutes before ambulance crews arrived.

He said: “There was a young girl there holding his head and another chap helping paramedics, holding two mobile drips.

“All I did was what I hope someone would do for me in the same situation.”

The road was closed for around three and a half hours while police investigated.

Drivers and pedestrians took to social media to voice their fears about the road, which goes down to single file to cross the river.

Katie Lock, 28, of, Braintree Road said: “The bridge is really dangerous.

“If you are on the side where you have to give way, it's difficult to see oncoming traffic, especially if someone has turned out of the entrance to the vets by Springfield Lodge - you cannot see them and it's their right of way."

Sharon Wilde, 51, of Virgil Road, said: “It was only a matter of time before someone died in this road.

“It's so busy, the bridge is too narrow, it's badly lit up and if you're a pedestrian it's a nightmare to try and cross.

“My thoughts are with the motorcyclist’s family and friends.”

If you witnessed the collision or saw either vehicle before the accident, contact DC James Lee at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101.