A BRIDGE has reopened this morning after it was hit by a lorry creating an eight mile diversion. 

Eggleston Bridge near Eggleston village was damaged when the vehicle hit the structure, damaging a large section of the wall, two weeks ago.

Following the incident, the driver of the vehicle involved alerted the police straight away.

The bridge was closed due to health and safety concerns and a diversion was put in place stretching 8.2 miles.

Brian Buckley, strategic highways manager at Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted to report the repairs to Eggleston Bridge are now complete and it has reopened to all road users.

“One of the walls suffered significant damage during this incident and we had no choice but to close the bridge. We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while these vital repairs were carried out.”

The council was able to access the stone needed to rebuild the wall sooner than anticipated, meaning the repairs could be completed in just under two weeks.

The scaffolding was taken down yesterday and the bridge reopened to the public this morning.