Lorry-damaged bridge fully reopens after work

A bridge damaged after a lorry driver smashed the vehicle over part of it has been fully repaired and reopened.

The lorry struck the bridge on Church Road in Swallowfield, Berkshire, on 11 February, bringing one side of the brick wall down and forcing the road to close for more than two weeks.

Daniel Gowers, 33, from Havering, was convicted of driving without due care and attention in his absence in September. He was fined £1,100 and told to pay a £440 surcharge and £130 in costs at Reading Magistrates' Court.

Wokingham Borough Council said it is now seeking to recover costs from insurers, thought to be about £60,000, and said it finished work on 8 October.