Bridge over the River Tamar damaged in crash reopens after repairs
A bridge on the Devon-Cornwall border which was damaged in a crash has reopened this afternoon, 18 April, ahead of schedule.
The Grade 1 listed Newbridge at Gunnislake has been closed for repairs since it was hit by a vehicle on 2 April. The closure meant a 32 mile detour for traffic - adding around 45 minutes to journeys.
Contractors have completed the repairs a week ahead of schedule, including work to remove branches that had become lodged in the river Tamar below the bridge.
Visitors and local residents have been temporarily parking their cars at the sides of the road while the bridge was closed. Devon County Council is now urging the owners to remove them as soon as possible.
Devon County Council has thanked road users for their patience while the work was done.
In the meantime, Cornwall Council has been ticketing cars parked on double yellow lines on Newbridge Hill, on the Cornish side of the bridge.
Writing on the Facebook site, Gunnislake Community Matters, Mikaela Parry said, "Parking tickets have been issued to all cars this side of the bridge just minutes before the bridge is due to open. How mean spirited!"
Jayne Stapleton added: "Cornwall council have put parking tickets on all the vehicles that have been parking there and walking across the bridge to go and do an honest day's work in Devon.
"The Devon side had a polite letter from Devon Council asking them to move by 9 tonight. No tickets that side. The owners of the cars on the Cornwall side are all still at work so they haven't seen their tickets yet! Disgusting. Like we haven't had enough problems to get to work for weeks!"
It is of course illegal to park on double yellow lines but the car owners may be able to appeal their tickets, if they explain the situation.