WORK to repair an “eyesore” bridge in Halstead is a step closer as the town council prepares to take over ownership of the crossing. Halstead Town Council has confirmed the process of purchasing the Riverside footbridge, which connects Riverside Court and the Chapel Street car park, is just a few weeks away from completion. The bridge has been closed to residents for more than five years due to safety fears. The bridge has been labelled an eyesore in the past but plans are underway to see the bridge repaired and brought back into use. A working group led by the former mayor Andy Munday has worked on the plans and started implementing minor repairs.