Lydford parish councillors have commended speedy efforts to repair a damaged bridge over the river Lyd.

Repairs were completed to the historic bridge on Wednesday, August 26.

Work is now being undertaken to take down the scaffolding around the bridge, which includes a platform cantilevered over the gorge metres below.

The bridge is likely to reopen to traffic and pedestrians in early September, but a date has not yet been set.

Parish council clerk John Bright said: “The final step is to remove the cantilever scaffold structure. That's not likely to be quick - it took over a week to construct! Highways are very reluctant to apply dates to their work, but it's not unreasonable to think that early September might see the bridge opening again.”

The bridge over the River Lyd has been closed since a car collided with the parapet on the night of July 26, sending massive blocks of stone into the river below.

John said: “Pressure is being maintained by the parish council as well as borough and county councillors to ensure that traffic can begin using the bridge again as soon as is reasonably possible.

“Lydford Bridge is a Grade II-listed structure of historical importance. This places a deal of limitations on how it might be repaired, the materials that can be used and the permissions required. Some of the blocks from the parapet were damaged in the fall to the bottom of the gorge. These have had to be dressed again and some stone replaced from stores.

“Repairing the bridge requires that masons have access to both sides of the parapet as they work. It is not possible to carry out the work required otherwise. Creating a platform upon which they can work safely whilst suspended some 60 feet above the gorge below has required a great deal of scaffolding to cantilever the platform. It is the presence of this key structure which has required that the bridge be closed. Removal of the scaffolding after completing the repairs is likely to take several days.

“Councillors have written to the engineer leading the repairs to thank them for the speed with which they have responded to the damage caused to the bridge by the collision. From initial appraisal of the safety of the carriageway to completing the necessary repairs in required fashion in a little over a calendar month is commendable.”

The complicated repair has meant closing the bridge, which has meant villagers on both sides of the bridge having to make long diversions.

Lydford Bridge dates from the 1400s but the damaged parapets date from when the structure was widened in the 1920s.