Lydney’s Newerne Street Bridge to Remain Closed After Damage

Newerne Street Bridge, situated in the heart of Lydney, Gloucestershire, is confirmed to stay closed following “significant damage.” This damage occurred during a collision in the early hours of 3 December, when a vehicle struck the bridge despite an existing road closure. The structure had already been inaccessible for over a week prior to this incident, having sustained damage due to Storm Bert’s impact on the River Lyd. Gloucestershire County Council has announced that the bridge will continue to be fully closed to all vehicular traffic in anticipation of necessary repairs. A council spokesperson verified that an assessment of the bridge had been conducted, concluding that its closure must persist throughout the repair period. Concrete barriers are slated for installation to prevent any additional vehicles from attempting to traverse the bridge. The council informed the BBC that they could not provide an estimated timeline for the repair work, stating: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we will reopen the bridge as soon as it is safe to do so.” Furthermore, because the River Lyd is designated as a “main river,” the council is required to obtain authorization from the Environment Agency before commencing any repair operations. Following the completion of initial preparatory work, an additional inspection, which will include divers examining the bridge’s base, is scheduled. Only after this subsequent inspection has occurred will the complete scope of the required repairs become apparent, and the necessary permission from the Environment Agency be formally requested.