Drivers in Swallowfield are facing continued disruption this week as Church Road remains shut at the bridge between Nutbean Lane and Part Lane after a dramatic collision involving a lorry brought traffic to a standstill.
The incident, which happened last week, left the bridge’s condition in question and forced an immediate closure. Since then, frustrated motorists have been waiting for answers, but nature has stepped in to complicate matters even further.
Wokingham Borough Council had planned to inspect the bridge last Friday to determine whether it was safe to reopen. However, persistent heavy rainfall has caused river levels to rise, making it impossible for engineers to carry out a full structural assessment. And with the river still running high this week, there’s no clear timeline for when that inspection can safely take place.
A council spokesperson stressed that safety must come first, saying: “We can’t reopen the bridge until we’re sure the structure is still safe for traffic.”
The closure is having a knock-on effect for local drivers, with diversions adding time to daily journeys and increasing traffic on surrounding rural roads.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that the bridge, and this stretch of Church Road, is not suitable for articulated lorries. Warning signs are in place advising drivers of the restriction, raising questions locally about how such a large vehicle ended up crossing the bridge in the first place.
Until river levels drop and a full inspection can be completed, the road will remain closed, leaving residents and commuters bracing for more delays in the days ahead.
Motorists are being urged to follow diversion routes and avoid the area where possible while engineers work to assess the damage as soon as conditions allow.
