A lorry has crashed into an ancient stone bridge on the A396 in Devon, resulting in the closure of the bridge, which had only recently been repaired, in both directions.
The Bickleigh Bridge recently had its ‘anti climb’ kerbstones repaired by Devon County Council. The bridge is also registered as a Grade II listed structure.
Bickleigh Bridge near Tiverton is likely to be closed all morning! #Crediton #Tiverton #roadclosure #bridge #lorry #Bickleigh @thealanquick pic.twitter.com/4EydukbwQn
— Crediton Courier (@CreditonCourier) May 18, 2021
Ironically, the aim of the kerbs is to assist large vehicles like HGVs so that they can safely cross the bridge without causing any damage.
#Devon At Bickleigh Bridge, the A396 is CLOSED in both directions between the A3072 and Upexe Lane, due to an earlier accident where a lorry struck the bridge. [PL]
— BBC Travel SouthWest (@BBCTravelSW) May 18, 2021
According to Devon Live, the incident occured in the early hours of this morning. Highways England have put diversions in place while work is conducted to check how much damage has been done. Images shared to social media show that the lorry had broken through the walls of the bridge in some parts.
Early morning travel reports stated that truck was “hanging off” Bickleigh Bridge.
Fortunately, at around 7.30am UK time, the lorry was removed from the edge of the bridge to relative safety. The structure is nonetheless expected to remain closed for some time.
Photo credits: Peter Wildfire Stone