TUESDAY UPDATE: Flyover still closed for barrier repairs

A POTHOLE combined with icy conditions on the Eastern Bypass have been blamed for causing a lorry to crash though the barriers and off the overpass.

The accident, which happened last night, has led to a section of Oxford's Eastern Bypass near Cowley to be closed while repairs are carried out.

Oxford Mail:

The lorry involved belonged to Essex-based haulage firm KBC Logistics.

David Ashwood, one of the company directors, said: "From the looks of the video footage what happened is the driver hit a pothole, the road was really icy and he lost control of the vehicle.

"The lorry came right off the bridge and dropped seven metres, landing upright with all four wheels on the ground.

"It's absolutely amazing that the driver wasn't more seriously hurt. I've spoken with him today and all he has are bumps and bruises."

Oxford Mail:

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said police would investigate the cause of the incident.

He added: "During the current freezing conditions, even though routes like this are gritted, care is taken when driving."

The road is currently closed from the Rose Hill Roundabout towards Headington heading eastbound and one lane is closed heading westbound.

The county council, which is managing repairs, has now stated contractors are in the process of sourcing materials and hoped to have at least one lane open today or tomorrow.

Oxford Mail:

It added safety was of 'prime importance', however, as the accident caused damage to lighting and live wires are on the carriageway.

The bridge also still needed to be inspected for structural damage.

A lorry crashed through the barrier and came off the raised section of the road last night.

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It was travelling towards Headington when it lost control due to the weather conditions. 

The lorry struck the central reservation before going through a nearside barrier and falling off the overbridge.

Oxford Mail:

Pic. Marcos Toniolo

A reader who saw the aftermath of the crash at about 11pm said the inside lane of the bypass was slippery and 'unsafe' because of the snow drifting across the carriageway. 

He said: "We saw the trailer on its side, partly on the road and partly on the roundabout. It didn't look good, but could have been so much worse.

"The barrier was gone and police had cordoned off the road. It looked very well organised by police." 

The road is closed between the Littlemore roundabout and the junction for Garsington Road. 

Long delays are expected until the road is reopened.

Oxford Mail:

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The driver only sustained minor injuries and fortunately no other vehicles were involved.

The HGV has been recovered however the A4142 will remain closed due to essential barrier repairs.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said:“We have inspected the site of the crash and our contractors are in the process of sourcing the materials needed to replace the damaged central reservation barrier and install temporary concrete barriers in front of the missing section of parapet.

Oxford Mail:

"There is also damage to some of the lighting with live wires across the carriageway which need to be made safe and we are also in the process of inspecting the bridge structure to see if any further repairs will be needed."

He added: “We are working hard to get the road back open with safety being of prime importance and are hoping to allow traffic to use at least one lane today or tomorrow.

"While we appreciate the inconvenience we have to be certain that the bridge and road is safe.”

Oxford Mail:

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