The entrance to a riverside parking area has been blocked after it was officially closed as part of the deeds to protect a historic watermill bridge.

East Suffolk Council, which owns the parking area at the Staithe in Bungay, decided that closing a bridge there to the public will help protect it at Bungay Staithe.

The bollards have been placed before the Riverside Centre.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: The bollards have been placed before the former public car park outside of the Riverside Centre at the StaitheThe bollards have been placed before the former public car park outside of the Riverside Centre at the Staithe (Image: Tim Child)

Only key holders to the Riverside Centre, Bungay Sea Scouts or Waveney Valley Canoe Club and residents will have access to remove the bollards and access the once-public parking area.

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The agreement was made prior to the construction project to strengthen the bridge at Bungay Staithe started in July.

The bridge was beginning to collapse as one of the two culverts beneath were withering away, risking an environmental disaster.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Tim Child pictured outside his home as concrete is pumped into the collapsing culvert beneath his bridge Tim Child pictured outside his home as concrete is pumped into the collapsing culvert beneath his bridge (Image: Tim Child)

As a result, more than five tonnes worth of concrete was being pumped into the damaged culvert beneath, which is hoped will support the collapsing bridge. 

Bungay Town Council said in a statement they had "no involvement" in the negotiations over the parking area as these were undertaken between East Suffolk Council and bridge owner Tim Child.