A busy road and canal have been temporarily closed after an unknown heavy goods vehicle collided with a bridge.

Police were alerted to an incident at Barrow Bridge, which crosses the Trent and Mersey Canal, after it was reported that the structure had been hit by an HGV, which had caused significant damage to the brick parapet of the historic structure.

As the parapet was deemed unsafe, the canal underneath has been closed to boats between Swarkestone Lock and Stenson Lock. The towpath is also closed to pedestrians.

Officers from Mercia Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) liaised with The Canal and River Trust, Derbyshire County Council Highways and South Derbyshire District Council Emergency Planning Team to take a decision to temporarily close the bridge in both directions.

Structural engineers have now assessing the damage, and the scale of the repairs needed. However, it is likely that the road and canal could be closed for several weeks.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route for journeys in the area.