AFTER six long weeks of traffic turmoil, Hexham Railway Bridge has re-opened.

The main route into the town closed on June 6, while Network Rail carried out extensive repairs.

Diversions into the town proved problematic. The West Road junction was the scene of three crashes in the first fortnight of the bridge closure.

And Corbridge’s narrow roads became choked with traffic as motorists drove through the village to access the A69.

The railway bridge re-opened on Saturday, and Network Rail insisted that disruption had been kept to a minimum.

Its area director, Mark Tarry, said: “Our work means the bridge is safe to serve the local community for many years to come and that we have been able to work with other organisations to carry out all this work in one go, rather than digging up the road over a period of several years.”

Coun. Ian Swithenbank, cabinet member for local services at Northumberland County Council, added: “We appreciate that this essential work by Network Rail has caused some disruption for residents, visitors and businesses.

“And we would like to thank everyone for their patience.

“At the same time as the bridge closure a number of other pieces of work have been completed – avoiding the need for further closures at other times.

“These include replacing the gas main, resurfacing a significant stretch of road in the vicinity of the bridge and enabling an electricity connection to be installed for the new garage near the A69.”