Lorry driver accused of causing £1.5 million of damage to motorway bridge

A lorry driver from Darlington has appeared in court accused of causing more than £1.5 million of damage Credit: PA

A lorry driver from Darlington has appeared in court accused of causing more than £1.5 million of damage.

It is following the collapse of a motorway bridge on the M20 during last August's bank holiday weekend.

The bridge fell after a wheeled excavator and dumper being transported by Alan Austen, 63, on the back of a lorry struck it between junctions four and three on the London-bound carriageway in Kent.

No-one was killed but Jim Shaw, 73, came off his motorbike to avoid the fallen bridge and was injured.

Lorry driver Alan Austen Credit: PA

Gridlock was also caused on one of the busiest weekends of last year. Austen, 63, was summonsed by Kent Police in January to appear at Maidstone Magistrates' Court accused of dangerous driving.

A man came off his motorbike to avoid the fallen bridge. Credit: PA

Austen, of Jedburgh Drive, Darlington, County Durham, also appeared on Friday accused of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and three counts of criminal damage.

Prosecutor Mark Kateley told the court around £1.5 million of damage was caused to the bridge, £118,000 damage to the Daf truck and trailer and £35,107 damage to the Hitachi wheeled excavator and yellow dumper.

£1.5 million of damage was caused to the bridge Credit: PA

Mr Kateley said "luckily or miraculously" the motorcyclist survived.

He added that the level of damage caused required the case to be sent to the crown court.

No pleas were entered, and magistrates sent the case to Maidstone Crown Court for a hearing on March 17.

Austen was granted unconditional bail.