Emergency work to be carried out on Gunnislake Newbridge
It's after a small hole was found in one of its piers
A bridge that links Devon and Cornwall is being closed for emergency work after a small hole was found in one of its piers.
Gunnislake Newbridge will be shut from 9:30am-3:30pm on Wednesday 10 April and on Thursday 11 April.
Devon County Council say initial inspections haven't raised any immediate structural concerns, but they say it's "essential" that action is taken as soon as possible in order to protect the Grade One listed bridge.
Subject to the weather and water levels permitting, engineers will use concrete filled sandbags to pack the void in the cutwater.
A reinforced 'deflector' will also be attached to the base of the pier to guard against any further damage until a more permanent repair can be carried out this summer, when water levels should be lower.
While the bridge is closed, teams will also try and remove as many large trees as possible which have fallen into this section of the River Tamar, but it’s likely they will have to come back during lower flows to complete this removal work.
Permanent repairs can’t be made to the bridge at the moment because the water level of the river is too high. When they are undertaken the repairs will be like for like, using lime mortar and, where possible, reusing existing stone.
An official signed diversion will be in place via the A390 Callington, A388, B3362, A390 and vice versa.