A transport board has raised concerns over the replacement of a historic bridge that has the potential to disrupt rail and road links in Folkestone.

The Central Station bridge in Cheriton Road was cluttered with scaffolding between July and February as work to strengthen the 160-year-old structure went ahead.

But Network Rail announced that after seven months of investigations it had come to the conclusion a new £1.5 million bridge would be needed, instead.

The new bridge is likely to be built between next year and 2020, but a timescale of how long it will take is not yet known.

Councillors at the Joint Transportation Board (JTB) meeting at Shepway District Council on Monday called for clarification over what this will mean for motorists and train users in Folkestone.

Chairman of the committee Cllr Malcolm Dearden said: “I raised the issue as soon as it came through.

“I don’t want to see any inhibition to the rail links through Folkestone but I am told it will only be for a short time.

“It is a worry from the point of view from the road and the High Speed rail link.

“We are concerned about it and I would like some assurances as to the rail and road links.”

The initial investigations, which included the closure of the road underneath the bridge for up to a week at a time, saw traffic delays stack up along main roads.

Cllr Peter Gane reported that cars from the Beachborough traffic lights would stack up right back to Earls Avenue, which is more than a mile away.

Network Rail manager Mark Huband said: “We realise that the scaffolding has been an inconvenience and understand why people might be disappointed that its removal has not resulted in a refurbished bridge.

“While our plan had been to strengthen the existing bridge to bring it up to modern standards, it has become clear that the best, most cost-effective solution is to replace the bridge with a new structure designed to meet the needs of today’s road and rail networks.”

Network Rail said the condition of the bridge was not deemed to be safe but a replacement would provide a “long-lasting and far stronger structure”.

The JTB recommended that a representative from Network Rail should come forward and explain the plans in more detail to the committee members.