Repairs to Cornwall bridge hit by vehicle on track to be finished this week

The B3314 near Wadebridge has been shut since the weekend before last

Author: Emma HartPublished 25th May 2022
Last updated 25th May 2022

It is hoped a main B-road to Wadebridge will reopen this Friday, after a bridge was struck by a vehicle.

That is when Cormac is expecting to complete repairs to Trewornan Bridge on the B3314.

Officials described the damage caused by the strike as severe and said the work to fix it was "time-consuming".

That has involved recovering stones from the river below, as well as sourcing new stones.

The road has been closed since Sunday 15th May, with diversion routes put in place.

At one point, an appeal was issued asking drivers using an alternative route through Chapel Amble to slow down.

On Tuesday 24th May, Cormac tweeted to say: "We're aiming to complete the reconstruction and reopen the road again by Friday 27th May".

Posting on Facebook, Cormac added: "Trewornan Bridge, that carries the busy B3314, was struck by a vehicle on Sunday 15th May causing severe damage that resulted in the road being closed.

"The bridge was inspected by our structures maintenance team the same day and further inspections on the Monday confirmed the condition of the structure was such that it unfortunately had to remain closed.

"Preparatory work to gain the necessary consents, agree access agreements and establish safe systems of work was commenced immediately and scaffolding was erected the same week.

"Operatives were redeployed to the site mid-week to begin the process of recovering stone from the river for reuse and additional matching stone was sourced where the original was no longer usable.

"We were able to start the repair work over the weekend of 21st May, using methods and materials sympathetic with historical construction techniques.

"Although the specialist work to retain the historic appearance can be time-consuming, we are intending (weather permitting) to complete the reconstruction by Friday 27th May and have the road reopened in time for the weekend leading up to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations".

You can hear all the latest news on the hour, every hour.