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The peace and quiet of summer had been shattered for a Cotswolds village that is taking the brunt of a major road diversion following the closure of a small bridge over a river. Buscot Wick on the Gloucestershire border with Oxfordshire is being used by motorists who can’t cross the Halpenny Bridge at Lechlade-on-Thames.
The key crossing has been closed since a car struck a wall on the historic structure last Tuesday. A driver was taken to hospital following the incident and a police investigation is containing.
Gloucestershire County Council said the bridge is likely to be closed for some time and definitely during the Royal International Air Tattoo at nearby RAF Fairfield in July. The closure has been affecting businesses in Lechlade and increased traffic on locks roads – and the offices diversion route is more than 20 miles and goes via Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.
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People have been flooding social media with messages describing the impact of the closure. And there is frustration that the bridge is going to be closed for so time, although some are enjoying the peace and quite in Lechlade.
Writing on a private Facebook group, one woman said: “Terrible about the bridge and hope the repair is as beautiful, but got to be honest, the absence of lorries and other through traffic on Leclade Road in Highworth is fantastic. Guessing the same is true in Lechlade itself.”
Another replied; “Our little Buscot Wick’s peace and quiet has gone for this summer now it seems. I tried a snooze in my hammock in the garden this afternoon, it was like trying to kip next to a motorway! Non stop constant traffic.”
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And this person was also worried: “The people in Lechlade whose livelihoods depends on footfall are going to have some really difficult months and the people in Buscot Wick have had their lives and routines changed completely. Yes its nice and quiet for some but its worrying and hell for others.”
There are also fears about traffic accidents: “As a resident of Buscot Wick I can only say it is horrendous. It is not just the amount of extra traffic it is the SPEED at which they drive through. Today a blue BMW accelerated from our corner to the post box who obviously thought he was at Santa Pod and not a narrow country lane. Unfortunately I was unable to get his registration number but it is only a question of time before someone is injured or worse.”
Halfpenny Bridge was built in 1792 and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade II listed. This means any repairs to the bridge need to be agreed with Heritage England and be in keeping with the original bridge.
Gloucestershire County Councillor Dom Morris (C, Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames), cabinet member responsible for highways said: “We need to close Halfpenny Bridge while these works are carried out to keep everyone safe. We will work closely with partner agencies throughout the repair process and will carry out the work as quickly as possible.
“I would like to apologise to residents and businesses for the inconvenience caused by this closure and appreciate their patience.”
