Watch: Lorry wrecks bridge shutting key route

One side of a key bridge in and out of a Berkshire village has been destroyed after a lorry drove into it.

The near side of the brick bridge, which carries Church Road over the River Blackwater in Swallowfield, was flattened by the vehicle on Wednesday. The lorry was then allegedly driven off.

A spokesperson for Ewals Cargo Care said it was aware of a subcontractor operating one of its trailers in the "regrettable" incident.

"The circumstances are currently under internal investigation and full cooperation is being provided to the local authorities," they said.

Graham King, a Swallowfield resident, said: "I take it [the driver's] sat nav took them around here. Although there are signs that say no long vehicles should come around this way, [the driver] obviously didn't take any notice of it.

"[Residents are] all a bit miffed with it all because it's the main route in and out."

Paula Laurent, a delivery driver who regularly uses the bridge, said the lorry driver's behaviour was "ludicrous".

"I cannot believe what an idiot that person is. I just don't understand."

She added: "If you can't drive your stuff on time, it's poor customer service and you don't get paid. It's caused a lot of problems, doing something like that."

Wokingham Borough Council said it was assessing the bridge on Thursday "to make sure it is safe for traffic."

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said no one has been arrested.