THERE are fears for businesses as one of Witham’s main roads is set to close for four days.

Essex Highways plans to close part of Newland Street, the town’s main shopping area, as of Friday.

The road will be closed from Avenue Road to Crittall Road, so strengthening works can be carried out on Catholic Bridge.

Trestle supports have been installed over time. Plans have now been made to remove the temporary supports and strengthen the bridge by constructing a new concrete structure below the existing bridge.

Tina Townsend, chairman of the Witham Chamber of Commerce, said it will cause disruption to business, with the closure being in place from 8pm on Friday to 6am on Monday.

She said: “It’s going to affect all the industrial estates and it’s going to be horrendous for business.

“The work has to be done and that is important as if the bridge has issues we don’t want it collapsing.

“Obviously it’s going to be hugely disruptive. The diversion is going to be the worst thing.

“This is an industrial road, so we are going to have lorries and general work activity affecting it. It’s going to be very busy but at least the diversion route is a sensible one.”

The works are likely to be completed by the end of the year.

Essex Highways said: “While we expect the majority of the strengthening works to have limited impact to the road network, works to remove the supports under the structure will require the temporary road closure of the Newland Street and Colchester Road at the bridge.

“In order to facilitate a safe diversion route via Colchester Road, Freebournes Road, Pasture Road, The Grove and vice versa, the permanent physical width restriction on Pasture Road has been temporarily removed, replaced with temporary water filled barriers.”