Grade II listed bridge near Wem damaged in lorry crash

Soulton Bridge, on the B5065 near Wem, was closed for over five hours yesterday and the lorry is still there, while workmen figure out a way to remove it without causing further damage.

The road was closed on Saturday morning while Shropshire Council recovered the overturned HGV.

A statement on behalf of Shropshire Council said: "At around 2.30pm yesterday an HGV came off Soulton Bridge on the B5065 Soulton Road, between Wem and the A49.

"The HGV landed on its side in the brook, causing significant damage to the bridge, which is a Grade II listed structure.

"The road was temporarily closed on Thursday afternoon/evening, and was reopened at around 8pm last night under two-way traffic lights.

"A way to remove the HGV from the brook without causing further damage to the bridge could not be agreed yesterday. A site meeting will now take place to agree a way forward."

The driver suffered neck and back pain as a result of the accident and was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.