The Grade II listed Halfpenny Bridge is still being repaired more than a year after it was smashed into by a drink driver. 

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the Lechlade bridge was struck by a vehicle, causing significant damage to the Eastern parapet which led to repairs being carried out over a lengthy period last year.

Further repairs were needed involving vegetation removal, re-stitching a crack in the south-eastern pedestrian arch, the partial dismantling/rebuilding of a wing wall and repairs to the nearby riverbank to prevent erosion.

These repairs, known as 'phase two' started at the end of July and were expected to last two months with work taking place seven days per week between the hours of 7am and 7pm.

(Image: Gloucestershire County Council)

The public footpath which is on the Thames National Trail will remain closed throughout, and temporary two-way traffic lights were in place for around two weeks but removed on Tuesday, August 20. 

Halfpenny Bridge was constructed in approximately 1793 and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade II listed structure.

The crash last year left a 4.5 metre hole in the ancient structure's side and caused cracking and spalling to an additional 7.5 metres of the bridge's parapet.

A substantial amount of the bridge was sent into the river's waters below, and these stones were retrieved to see if they could be reused in the reconstruction. 

This forced Gloucestershire County Council to close it for a number of weeks to investigate the full extent of the damage before repairs could finally be started in September causing significant disruption to motorists travelling between Highworth and Swindon to Lechlade. 

Businesses were also severely affected by the road closure, with Gareth Chapman, the landlord of the nearby Riverside pub even donning a Santa outfit and celebrating an 'early Christmas' when it reopened in November 2023.

Constantin Neghina of Henley Road, Caversham, Reading, was charged with driving while over the limit and driving without due care and attention in relation to the crash and was sentenced in court earlier this year. 

The 38-year-old was found to have 100 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood - the legal limit of 80. 

After pleading guilty, Neghina was banned from driving for 36 months, ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £114.