Evening rush-hour closure for westbound A31 at Ringwood after lorry hits bridge
A LORRY driver escaped injury after his vehicle ploughed into a bridge and overturned, partially closing a stretch of the A31 at Ringwood this afternoon (Wednesday).
Police urged motorists to avoid the area as they dealt with the incident involving a white Renault HGV, which took place shortly after 1.30pm on the westbound carriageway on the approach to the A338 Salisbury Road.
Disruption will continue during the evening rush-hour when the entire carriageway will be closed from 5pm for the lorry to be removed by recovery firm RD Avery Limited.
Lengthy traffic queues have been building towards Picket Post since the crash, with delays of around 25 minutes reported as vehicles slowly pass the scene via one lane.
A Hampshire police spokesperson said: "We were called at 1.36pm today to reports of a lorry colliding with a bridge on the westbound carriageway of the A31 at Ringwood, prior to the A338, causing it to overturn.
"No injuries have been reported to us.
"The second lane of the westbound carriageway remains open at this time.
"The carriageway will need to be closed to recover the vehicle, so drivers are urged to avoid the route ahead of rush hour."
