Suffolk bridge labelled a ‘modern art monstrosity’ after council repairs

The bridge in Ed Sheeran’s home town of Framingham, Suffolk, which was repaired with bricks which look nothing like the original one – East Anglia News Service/East Anglia News Service

Residents have likened a council’s repair job to a 125-year-old bridge to a modern art monstrosity after patching it up with mismatched bricks.

The bridge, in a Suffolk town, was badly damaged when a motorist crashed into its parapet, sending bricks falling into the stream below.

But it has now been repaired with brand new red bricks that look nothing like the weathered original ones on the structure, prompting ire from those living nearby.

Suffolk county council’s highways chiefs faced a barrage of negative comments after they posted pictures of their handiwork on X, formerly Twitter, saying the construction team had made “excellent progress” with the repair.

Residents condemned it as a “joke” and have likened the repair to a “Tate Modern display”.

The Victorian bridge, which is now opened to traffic again, is on Station Road in Framlingham – the town where singer Ed Sheeran grew up.

Sheeran is a regular visitor to Framlingham, which inspired his song Castle on the Hill, and he still lives nearby with his wife and children.

Upset locals have complained on the Framlingham Community Page on Facebook about the new bricks giving the bridge a two tone appearance.

One protester said: “Suffolk Highways just posted this on X / Twitter re the excellent progress they are making on the bridge rebuild. The bridge now looks so attractive as you enter the town … NOT!”

Another added: “Good grief … are they colour-blind or just too lazy to source a colour match…”

A third said: “Was it too much trouble to fish the original bricks out of the river to use again? Oh , forgot the brains, dynamite and hat quote!”

A former construction worker said: “Being an ex Builder! Is this a joke,” while another sarcastically commented: “Well whoopee, give them a Blue Peter badge.”

The council cleared vegetation around the bridge and repaired it after bricks fell into the river

Locals were unhappy that the original bricks on the bridge did not match with the newer bricks used in the repair

Another said: “That really is a joke!!…we should all be ashamed and not just grateful that they have repaired it. I certainly wouldn’t be proud of it if it was my solution.”

One local continued: “As Eric Morecambe would have said, ‘You can’t see the join’,” while one more stated: “AHH yes, a view of modern society. This is Tate modern level stuff.”

A lengthy post said: “Ahaa! It’s bursting with post-modern chintz and profound allegorical references.

“The artist has clearly and deliberately added a dividing line referencing the olde-worlde charm accepting its fate and finally giving way to contemporary functionality, highlighting the demise of the tired and ancient, and yet looking forward to an exciting vibrant future . Or he just couldn’t be arsed to haul the original bricks out of the stream.”

Council’s defenders say ‘no one’s ever happy’

Others jumped to the defence of the council with one person posting laughing emojis and saying: “No one’s ever happy. First they moan it’s not getting fixed and now they moan that’s it’s finished.”

Another said: “It’s just a bridge. It will soon weather. Just be grateful those damn lights will soon be gone.”

A fan of the bridge added: “It’s fixed!! That’s the main thing!! Pity some People haven’t got more important things to worry about! It’ll probably be vandalised by the haters and then we’ll be back to square one.”

But one person said: “I bet the people moaning about the moaners wouldn’t except (sic) this if it was a wall round their property. Just saying.”

Other residents suggested pressure washing the old moss-covered bricks so they became a closer match for the new ones.

Some locals suggested that the council wash the older, moss-covered bricks, so that they better matched with the new ones – East Anglia News Service

A Suffolk county council spokesman said: “After a car hit the bridge in Framlingham, the area was sectioned off for the safety of road users.

“The bricks which form part of the original bridge are red in colour under their weathered surface. With the grime and wear coming from the road and surrounding nature, the new bricks are expected to weather so their appearance will be less of a contrast.

“Additional lining and hazard markers will be installed to help improve safety in this location.”

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