A SEVENTEENTH century bridge that has been closed since a lorry collided with it on Friday is due to be surveyed on Monday morning amid fears that repair work could take several weeks.

Julian’s Bridge in Wimborne was badly damaged when a removals lorry went into the parapet on the approach to the market town, scattering some of its load into the water below.

A structural engineer decided the bridge should be closed for safety reasons over the weekend.

There were fears the closure could add to traffic problems with work on improving Wimborne’s Square due to begin today.

The bridge lies on a normally busy route from the A31, but on Sunday local people were taking advantage of the lack of traffic to walk or cycle there to check out the damage for themselves.

One said: “People are loving being able to walk up and down here,” while another said: “It won’t be lovely for my husband when he goes to work tomorrow.”

A resident of Oakley Hill said her road – another main approach to Wimborne – had become much busier since the closure of Julian’s Bridge. “It’s horrible,” she said.

Penri Jones said he and his wife were at home nearby when the crash happened. We heard a big bang. It was a removals lorry and it was wedged up by the bridge. The parapet is coming away from the surface.”

He and his wife Vicky recalled that the last time the bridge was closed for major structural work, there was a street party in Julian’s Road. “It brings that different atmosphere. It’s so quiet,” said Mrs Jones.

Jessica Harrocks said: “Coming into town there’s always a queue, so it will be interesting. People can’t get to work, children can’t get to school. It’s diabolical to have this closed.

“It would be brilliant if they could find the money to put up a new bridge. If you walk along here, you see scrapes and gouges, “It’s not suitable for the volume and weight of today’s traffic.”

Judy Edbrooke said: “Why don’t they stop the Wimborne Square enhancements and spend it on the bridge? The damage looks really serious. It’s going to be an absolute nightmare.”

Former Wimborne mayor Anthony Oliver pointed out that the improvements to the Square were due to start today.

“There are already going to be diversions because of the Square, and if there are diversions because of Julian’s Bridge being closed, where’s everybody going to go who wants to come into Wimborne?” he asked.

“There’s going to be trouble. I hope and pray for everybody’s sake it’s not long-term.”