This is Devon -- A bridge over the River Tamar which was damaged in a crash at the weekend is to partially reopened. A gaping hole was left in the parapet of Newbridge, near Gunnislake, after a van driver careered off the bridge and into the water below. He escaped serious injury in the accident which happened at about 9am on Saturday. It is now thought the bridge will be closed to traffic for at least two weeks while the damage is assessed and repaired. However, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the bridge from tomorrow thurs morning with buses, operated by local firm DAC Coaches, running from either end. Cornwall Councillor Andrew Long, who represents Callington, has been working to get access as soon as possible. He said: "Although work is under way to repair the bridge, which is the responsibility of Devon County Council, it was important to get access for pedestrians and cyclists reinstated as soon as possible and, after working with DAC and Devon, we have now got confirmation that pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the bridge from Thursday morning. "This will allow the bus company to restart the 79 services between Callington and Tavistock with buses stopping either side of the bridge and passengers walking across." Nick Smith, of Gunnislake-based DAC, said diversions via bridges at Horsebridge and Greystone had been "severely congested", affecting its services. He added: "Hopefully from Thursday, people will be able to travel on this important commuter route by bus with minimal delay which will certainly remove some of the pressure on the other diversion routes." Plans for repairing the bridge are underway and will be carried out by Devon Highways, who have responsibility for the bridge under an agreement with Cornwall Council. Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council's cabinet member for highway management, said: "The bridge had to be closed on safety grounds and to enable us to carry out repairs. "To minimise disruption as much as possible, a guarded access route across the bridge is being maintained for pedestrians and cyclists which will enable people to access the 79 service. "Work on the repairs will start as soon as the access platform is in place. The bridge is likely to be closed to traffic for at least two weeks, and we're asking road users and local residents to bear with us."
Reported by This is 3 days ago.
This is Devon -- A bridge over the River Tamar which was damaged in a crash at the weekend is to partially reopened. A gaping hole was left in the parapet of Newbridge, near Gunnislake, after a van driver careered off the bridge and into the water below. He escaped serious injury in the accident which happened at about 9am on Saturday. It is now thought the bridge will be closed to traffic for at least two weeks while the damage is assessed and repaired. However, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the bridge from tomorrow thurs morning with buses, operated by local firm DAC Coaches, running from either end. Cornwall Councillor Andrew Long, who represents Callington, has been working to get access as soon as possible. He said: "Although work is under way to repair the bridge, which is the responsibility of Devon County Council, it was important to get access for pedestrians and cyclists reinstated as soon as possible and, after working with DAC and Devon, we have now got confirmation that pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the bridge from Thursday morning. "This will allow the bus company to restart the 79 services between Callington and Tavistock with buses stopping either side of the bridge and passengers walking across." Nick Smith, of Gunnislake-based DAC, said diversions via bridges at Horsebridge and Greystone had been "severely congested", affecting its services. He added: "Hopefully from Thursday, people will be able to travel on this important commuter route by bus with minimal delay which will certainly remove some of the pressure on the other diversion routes." Plans for repairing the bridge are underway and will be carried out by Devon Highways, who have responsibility for the bridge under an agreement with Cornwall Council. Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council's cabinet member for highway management, said: "The bridge had to be closed on safety grounds and to enable us to carry out repairs. "To minimise disruption as much as possible, a guarded access route across the bridge is being maintained for pedestrians and cyclists which will enable people to access the 79 service. "Work on the repairs will start as soon as the access platform is in place. The bridge is likely to be closed to traffic for at least two weeks, and we're asking road users and local residents to bear with us."
Reported by This is 3 days ago.