Gloucestershire County Council will hold a public meeting in Lechlade to update residents on the repair work to Halfpenny Bridge.

A vehicle collided with the historic bridge in the early hours of Tuesday, June 20, causing significant damage to the wall of the bridge.

A road closure has been put in place on the A361 but remains open to pedestrians and cyclists.

A meeting will be held at Lechlade Memorial Hall, Oak Street, Lechlade-on-Thames, GL7 3AY, at 6pm on Thursday, July 20.  

The meeting will provide more details on the repair works and take questions from the public and local businesses. 

The bridge has now undergone a comprehensive inspection by structural engineers and this assessment will inform the repair work.

The council will now complete a detailed design for the repair.

As the bridge is a listed structure and Scheduled Ancient Monument the repair is a complex process and will need to be sensitive to the structure.

The designs will need to be submitted to Historic England and the Secretary of State to approve them before work can begin.

Engagement with Historic England and the Secretary of State has already started and the council is working with them so repairs can be made as quickly as possible.

The council is also in contact with the Environment Agency, Lechlade-on-Thames Town Council and local community groups throughout the work.

This is in addition to Swindon Borough Council who are involved in the diversion route for road closures south of the bridge.

Cllr Dom Morris, cabinet member responsible for highways at Gloucestershire County Council and local member for Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames, said: “I understand the inconvenience of the closure to residents and businesses caused by a vehicle hitting the bridge, and I thank them for their patience.

“I would encourage people to come to the public meeting at Lechlade Memorial Hall next week where I will be able to answer questions on the repair process.

“I am doing everything I can to push forwards the repair work as quickly as possible and will provide updates throughout the process.”