The historic bridge over the river Lyd in Lydford has reopened for traffic this morning.

Local councillors have praised the speedy repair after blocks of stone were knocked from both parapets into the river when a car collided with them one Saturday night in late July.

Contractors worked from a platform suspended 60 feet above the gorge below, requiring specialist scaffolding to cantilever the platform. This meant the bridge having to be closed to traffic for a month.

Parish councillors have written to the engineer leading the repairs to thank them.

“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,” said Lydford Parish Council clerk John Bright.

Special cantilevered scaffolding allowed work from a platform down in the gorge, to extract stone from the river and rebuild both parapets.
Special cantilevered scaffolding allowed work from a platform down in the gorge, to extract stone from the river and rebuild both parapets. Picture: Steve Hylett/Lydford Parish Council (Steve Hylett/Lydford Parish Council)
Work in progress replacing stone blocks in the parapet of the Lydford bridge
Work in progress replacing stone blocks in the parapet. Picture: Steve Hylett/Lydford Parish Council. (Steve Hylett/Lydford Parish Council.)
The reopened bridge this morning, Wednesday, September 2. Lydford bridge
The reopened bridge this morning, Wednesday, September 2. (Steve Hylett/Lydford Parish Council)