Swing bridge between Theale and Burghfield reopens after sustaining 'significant damage'

A swing bridge was put out of action yesterday after a car crashed into the barrier.

The bridge on Hangar Road between Theale and Burghfield sustained "significant damage" following the incident, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Pictures show the barriers on the bridge, near Sheffield Bottom, were damaged, forcing the road to be closed until Tuesday evening.

It reopened at 7pm last night, as has the canal.

The Canal & River Trust has removed the damaged barriers and replaced them with a temporary barrier in order to get the bridge reopened quickly.

There was no further damage to the structure of the bridge.

A spokesperson for the trust said it would be "pursuing the matter with the owners of the car through the insurance process".

The trust's contractors carried out an inspection, and also advise and instigate repairs.