MOTORISTS faced major disruption after a traffic accident caused “significant” damage to Longtown Bridge and led to its closure early yesterday.

Engineers were due to make a detailed inspection of the bridge, which crosses the A7, and is regarded as a key arterial road route between Carlisle and the Scottish Border. A stone bridge parapet was damaged after a car reportedly collided with it.

Motorists faced diversions and disruption after highways chiefs closed the bridge and the the road, setting up diversions. The accident came just a few months after part of the bridge collapsed into a Longtown family’s garden next to the structure.

Photos of the bridge taken yesterday show a damaged 30ft section of bridge wall, with some of the dislodged sandstone blocks tumbled into the river below.

Longtown Carlisle City Councillor John Mallinson, who is also leader of Carlisle City Council, said: “This bridge is part of a major route from the north into Carlisle.

“It could be a really, really big issue. It’s caused considerable queues in the town. If it needs to be reconstructed in a way that will make it endure, then it will have to be done.”

He said he feared the potential impact on local retailers, who benefit from passing traffic, if the bridge remains closed for a long time.

Mr Mallinson’s fellow Longtown councillor David Shepherd said: “This is going to have serious consequences. It could cause a lot of problems and have dire consequences. “Diverting round the bridge will not be easy at all. I feel sorry for the people affected.”

Mr Shepherd said the route was so important that the cost of making an adequate repair should not prevent that happening quickly. “If it needs investment, then so be it.” Diversions were put in place early yesterday.