Engineers to help trapped boats

The centuries-old bridge was damaged in the accident

Engineers are working to help canal boats stranded after a bridge over a Derbyshire waterway partly collapsed.

The bridge, part of a private farm road over the Trent and Mersey Canal at Stenson, gave way on Monday as a tractor and trailer crossed.

The vehicle has been removed but bridge debris must be cleared before dozens of boats in nearby marinas can get past.

British Waterways officials said they hoped to be able to open the canal by the weekend.

Demolition threat

No-one was injured in the accident, which resulted in fertilizer going into the canal.

But the Grade II listed brick bridge, believed to be more than 200 years old, was badly damaged and may have to be demolished.

A spokesman for British Waterways said: "Contractors are inspecting the structural debris in the waterway and expect to have it open again by the weekend.

"Our priority is to get the canal open and it will take a study by structural engineers to see what action needs to be taken with the bridge."

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British Waterways staff assess the damage