A centuries-old bridge in Swallowfield has been left reeling after a massive articulated lorry crashed into it on Wednesday afternoon.
Dramatic security footage from a nearby house shows the Dutch-based haulage vehicle colliding with the ancient structure, sending shockwaves through the local community. Miraculously, no injuries have been reported, but the damage is significant.
Thames Valley Police described the incident as “a damage-only road traffic collision” and confirmed that no arrests have been made.
Wokingham Borough Council said its structures team will urgently inspect the bridge to determine whether it is safe for traffic. “We will provide more updates when we know more,” a spokesperson added.
Though not a Listed structure, the bridge is believed to be hundreds of years old, making the collision all the more dramatic. Recent heavy rain has left water levels under the bridge dangerously high, which may delay a full safety assessment.
Residents have expressed shock and concern, calling the incident “unbelievable” and warning that one of the area’s oldest landmarks now hangs in the balance.
