AS Clun faced a lengthy closure of its damaged medieval bridge this week residents across the county border in another village with an historic bridge dreaded the diversion coming their way.

After news of the harm done to the old Clun bridge by a large vehicle, John Williams, secretary of Leintwardine History Society, said: "This is not welcome news. The traffic through here is already horrendous at times."

Diversions have been set up over a wide area, with traffic being sent via Purslow, Leintwardine and Knighton.

Similar incident

Leintwardine also has an historic, narrow bridge, which was last shut in March after a similar incident when a lorry went into the parapet.

Mr Williams warned of the further concerns that would be raised about the effect on Leintwardine Bridge: "Some people would like to see speed cameras. There are no humps or chicanes. It is only other cars parked in the street that slow people down," he said.

Closing the Clun bridge for three weeks to everyone except pedestrians and dismounted cyclists cuts the village in half. It will have major repercussions all over south Shropshire and the north of Herefordshire.

With the A488 between Bishop's Castle and Knighton blocked at Clun, there will be widespread diversions all over the surrounding area.

The immediate impact was on the traditional procession at this weekend's Clun Carnival and Show which has had to be re-routed.

Arrangements have been made for emergency services but farmers preparing for this summer's harvest will be affected. Businesses are concerned about loss of valuable passing trade in August. Residents fear it could happen again unless radical traffic-calming measures are brought in.

The bridge was shut after an unknown vehicle, believed to be an articulated lorry, smashed into its side and drove off, having demolished one of the pedestrian refuges early last Thursday.

Urgent work began in a bid to complete repairs by the August bank holiday. Everyone in Clun was adamant that inexperienced drivers of heavy lorries were largely to blame for the recurring damage to the narrow bridge and to buildings in the village.

Tim Wood, who sells antiques from the Old Surgery north of the bridge, declared: "It's been an accident waiting to happen. We've got to stop the juggernauts. But shopkeepers will feel the pinch. It couldn't have happened at a worse time."

"It is not unusual but it is the worst I've seen," said Wendy Lantos, who lives near the bridge. "I think a lot of people would prefer it to be made a B road."

Downgrade

South Shropshire District councillor Colin Pendry doubted if a downgrade would help. "The road will still be there," he said. "If it is made a B road, would it get gritted? There are advice signs but haulage drivers from outside don't take any notice. Local farmers know and they are very good but it is harvest time and they need to move around."

Coun. Pendry summed it up. "If you were building Clun today, you would never have a road like this."