Motorists and residents in a Herefordshire village are being warned that a Herefordshire bridge could be closed until March 2025 after it sustained damage in a collision.
The C1120 From A49 To Old School House via Moreton-on-Lugg has been closed at the river bridge for several weeks following a collision.
However, an update on the Herefordshire Council roadworks site shows that a road closure could be in place until early March 2025.
The closure has resulted in motorists having to take long detours to get to work and to take children to school.
One local resident has sent a letter to local councillor Mr Hamblin, saying:
“I hope this letter finds you well.
“I am writing to you on behalf of the residents of Moreton on Lugg regarding the recent incident involving the destruction of the bridge that connects our village to the surrounding areas.
“As you may be aware, this bridge was damaged by the actions of a single individual, and as a result, our entire community is now facing significant challenges.
“The closure of the bridge has severely impacted our ability to transport our children to school, access nearby villages, and allow residents to reach essential services.
“Emergency vehicles are unable to pass, which poses a serious risk to the safety and well-being of our community.
“The official timeline for repairs, currently set for March, is simply unacceptable.
“The delay is causing substantial disruptions, including wasted time, increased fuel costs, and negative repercussions for local businesses.
“In addition to these issues, we are currently facing severe flooding that has rendered many surrounding roads impassable.
“The only access route to areas like Marden or Sutton St Nicholas is now through Bodenham, which has resulted in considerable delays.
“During such times, when alternate routes are limited, the road leading from the bridge was one of the few remaining passable routes during the flooding.
“It feels as though our entire community is being punished for the negligence of one person.
“We kindly urge you to take prompt action to expedite the repair process.
“The current situation is untenable, and we rely on your support to ensure that our village can return to normalcy as soon as possible.
“Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to your swift response and any updates you may provide regarding the timeline for repairs.”
