Jamie Donley praised by Pep Guardiola after wonder strike
PEP Guardiola praised former Colchester Villa Youth youngster Jamie Donley after his magnificent FA Cup strike for Leyton Orient against Manchester City.
Leyton Orient’s Jamie Donley celebrate during the English FA Cup fourth round soccer match between Leyton Orient and Manchester City at the Gaughan Group Stadium in London, England, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (Image: Kin Cheung)
A grade II listed bridge in Colchester is said to be “highly likely” to contain lead as plans are submitted to retrieve samples ahead of a revamp.
Essex Highways have submitted a planning application to repaint North Bridge on North Station Road which is said to be “cracking and peeling” as well as “showing signs of deterioration”.
Due to the age of structure, it is “highly likely” that existing coatings contain lead, meaning the first step is to retrieve samples of existing paint systems and test for lead content and binder analysis.
The contractor operatives will wear approved respirators and full protective clothing as well as the contractor providing decontamination units and regular health monitoring.
Robert Mercer of the Colchester Civic Society, said: “It is highly likely that the paint on the bridge contains lead as it will have layers that predate the banning of lead paint in 1978.
“There is evidence of earlier colours in green and maroon which were favourite council colours and also a silver coat I believe.”
A spokesman for the Civic Society added: “We have all, as a Society and as individual members, been pushing for this work to be carried out for years.”
The bridge will then be firstly freed of any visible gloss or contamination and will then be painted a pure white paint – to match the existing paint system.
The bridge’s cast iron safety barriers will be also cleaned.
Disruption to traffic and pedestrians include two-way signals and a footway closure is also expected.
Councillor Mark Goacher said: “Thank goodness something is being done about it at last because the paint is coming off, there’s rusty bits, and it has needed to be done for years.
“It’s grotty and horrible looking now but it is historic, and it is going to be turned around to look great.
Mr Goacher added: “Firstly, we should all be grateful it is being restored and secondly I hope that any distribution is kept to a minimum and that the bridge can reopen as soon as possible and I ask residents to bear with people doing the restoration and works”
“The end result will be a job that has needed to be done for years.”
