THE Newbridge at Gunnislake was closed on Tuesday, April 2, following a road traffic collision.

Motorists were advised to use an alternative route. The bridge has suffered significant damage and is likely to be shut for a number of days.

The bridge, which carries the A390 over the River Tamar on the Devon and Cornwall border, has been closed since being struck by a vehicle. Devon County Council engineers have assessed the damage to Newbridge.

The historic structure, which dates from 1520, was closed after being struck by a car. Emergency services, county council staff and contractors attended the scene to make the area safe.

Inspections got underway quickly and loose coping stones from the damaged section were taken down. 

Kevin Dentith, Devon County Council’s chief engineer for bridges and structures, said: “We’re aware just how critical this route is on the Devon and Cornwall border, which is why we’ve ensured teams are on site as quickly as possible to start assessing the extent of the damage. We’ll have a better idea tomorrow how long repairs will take and how long the bridge will need to be closed. Public safety is our priority and while we will ensure that this historic structure is repaired sensitively we will also endeavour to re-open the bridge as quickly as possible.”

Since then repair work has gotten well underway on Newbridge at Gunnislake and it is hoped that it will re-open to traffic by Friday, April 26.

Initial assessments of the damage have been conducted and stonemasons are working from a cantilever scaffold structure to carry out repairs. Around six metres of the parapet wall of the bridge and two of the refuges have been removed and are being rebuilt.

Because the structure is Grade I listed, contractors working on behalf of Devon County Council are ensuring that repairs are carried out sensitively. A Devon County Council spokesman added: “Our teams are working hard to re-open the road as soon as possible. There is extensive damage to the bridge but contractors are ensuring that the restoration of the stonework is in-keeping with the rest of the structure.”

A signed diversion remains in place and the bridge is open for pedestrians and cyclists.