DEVON County Council has confirmed that Bickleigh Bridge, between Tiverton and Exeter, will be closed to traffic for at least the next three weeks.

The bridge was badly damaged this morning, Tuesday, May 18, by a lorry which collided with the structure.

The county council has also confirmed that pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area, find alternative routes and expect delays.

Bickleigh Bridge lorry crash comes a month after “anti-climb” kerbs were installed to prevent collisions.

More than £130,000 has been spent in recent years on repairs to the historic and ancient bridge, the latest repairs and protection work carried completed just a month ago.

The bridge, originally built in the late 16th century, straddles the River Exe and sits in the village of Bickleigh on the A396 road from Tiverton to Exeter.

It was largely rebuilt in 1809 after flood damage, but the bridge cannot accommodate more than a single lane of modern day traffic and has no pavement for pedestrians, which has led to the recurrent damage being caused to the historic bridge.

The lorry has been recovered and repair work is expected to begin later this week.