"SAVE our bridge" was the message from parish councillors amid fears that reckless drivers are chipping away at a 16th-century crossing.
Buttsbury Bridge in Stock Lane has straddled the River Wid between Ingatestone and Stock since the time of the Spanish Armada.
Yet with the Grade II listed bridge being hit at least six times in the past five years at a cost to taxpayers of £76,000, Stock Parish Council has united with its Ingatestone and Fryerning counterpart to call for a "convincing solution".
Traffic-calming measures cannot be installed until the 60mph speed limit is cut.
Stock Parish Council chairman Nick Fairman said: "It's a key link between Stock and Ingatestone. If the speed limit can be reduced to 40mph or less then Essex Highways can introduce more traffic-calming measures, which should hopefully reduce the likelihood of the bridge being hit."
Essex County Council said: "A number of changes have now been agreed to improve safety on the bridge, including new white lining to improve the alignment of vehicles through the bridge and additional 'reduce speed now' signs.
"The approach fencing will also be painted white to further highlight the approach to the bridge."