Cotswolds bridge closure causing ‘hell’ as ‘summer ruined’ for small hamlet

The peace and quiet of summer had been shattered for a Cotswolds village that is taking the brunt of a major road diversion following the closure of a small bridge over a river. Buscot Wick on the Gloucestershire border with Oxfordshire is being used by motorists who can’t cross the Halpenny Bridge at Lechlade-on-Thames.

The key crossing has been closed since a car struck a wall on the historic structure last Tuesday. A driver was taken to hospital following the incident and a police investigation is containing.

Gloucestershire County Council said the bridge is likely to be closed for some time and definitely during the Royal International Air Tattoo at nearby RAF Fairfield in July. The closure has been affecting businesses in Lechlade and increased traffic on locks roads – and the offices diversion route is more than 20 miles and goes via Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.

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People have been flooding social media with messages describing the impact of the closure. And there is frustration that the bridge is going to be closed for so time, although some are enjoying the peace and quite in Lechlade.

Writing on a private Facebook group, one woman said: “Terrible about the bridge and hope the repair is as beautiful, but got to be honest, the absence of lorries and other through traffic on Leclade Road in Highworth is fantastic. Guessing the same is true in Lechlade itself.”

Another replied; “Our little Buscot Wick’s peace and quiet has gone for this summer now it seems. I tried a snooze in my hammock in the garden this afternoon, it was like trying to kip next to a motorway! Non stop constant traffic.”