Ludford Bridge to be closed for three weeks after wall is struck by vehicle
Ludford Bridge in Ludlow will be closed to vehicles for at least three weeks after a vehicle collided with a section of the bridge last night.
A large hole has been made in the bridge, the collision also disturbed the adjoining wall and its attachment to the road surface.
Shropshire Council received a call from the police via its Customer Service Centre at 9.50pm last night informing them of the incident.
As a safety measure the bridge was closed at 10.15pm to all vehicles. Pedestrian access was deemed safe, along the opposite side of the bridge.
Barriers were erected to direct pedestrians and prevent vehicle access.
Shropshire Council say its priority is to keep traffic moving, and diversions have been put in place along the A49 and into Ludlow via Henley Road and Gravel Hill, due to a height restriction on the rail bridge. Ludford Bridge is still accessible to pedestrians.
Inspections of the bridge have been undertaken by both Shropshire Council's structures team and a bridge engineer.
Emergency work will be required before the bridge can safely be used by vehicles, and it looks like the road will need to be shut to vehicles for at least three weeks to undertake the necessary repairs.
