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Damaged town centre bridge to partially reopen

BBC Grey fences and red and white barriers are blocking access to a two-lane road bridge. A section of the side of the bridge is missing, meaning there is a sheer drop down to the water below.BBC
The key route has been closed since Storm Bert in November

A town centre bridge which has been closed for eight weeks after being flooded and then hit by a car will partially reopen.

Temporary traffic lights will be installed at the Newerne Street bridge in Lydney, Gloucestershire, while repairs are made.

The key route was closed by flooding during Storm Bert on 24 November. It was further damaged nine days later when a driver ignored road closure signs and crashed into it.

Gloucestershire County Council has said it is working to remove the closure "as soon as possible" and hopes to provide an update over the weekend.

Red plastic barriers are blocking off the entrance to Newerne Street bridge in Lydney. A large sign reads Road Closed.
Lydney was one of the areas worst hit in Gloucestershire during Storm Bert

The council said specialist divers were brought in to check the underside of the bridge and found the repair was now "straightforward".

The bridge will be reduced to one lane, with temporary traffic lights, while repairs are made.

The reopening follows concerns from business owners who said planned overnight closures of High Street for resurfacing work would "add another layer of chaos to the town".

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