Swallowfield Bridge Reopens After Quick Repairs

A Berkshire bridge has fully reopened after months of repairs following a lorry crash that damaged part of its brick wall on Church Road in Swallowfield.

The bridge was hit by an HGV on February 11, forcing the road to close for more than two weeks. It then reopened under temporary traffic lights for months while repair work was planned; repairs began last month and finished on 8 October, a day ahead of schedule. Contractors also fixed damage to the road surface.

"The humpback bridge on Church Road in Swallowfield has been fixed and reopened ahead of schedule. We finished repairs last Thursday, a whole day earlier than expected, and fixed some road damage while working. The bridge was damaged when a lorry hit it earlier this year and it's been open under temporary lights for months."

The lorry driver, Daniel Gowers, 33, of Havering, was convicted of driving without due care and attention in his absence at Reading Magistrates' Court in September. He was fined £1,100 and ordered to pay a £440 victim surcharge and £130 in court costs.

Wokingham Borough Council says it is seeking to recover repair costs from insurers and thanked highways contractor VolkerHighways for its work.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter