DRIVERS will be “thrilled” that a bridge closed since October for modifications has reopened, a leading councillor said.

Network Rail demolished Challow Station Road Bridge on the A417 to build a new, higher one over the last two months.

In the meantime, drivers between Wantage and Faringdon had to use a half-hour diversion on the A338 and A40.

But yesterday, the new bridge officially opened, on budget and ahead of schedule. Oxfordshire county councillor for Faringdon Judith Heathcoat said: “People in Wantage and Faringdon will be thrilled. It is superb that Network Rail have completed this new bridge on time.”

Network Rail was raising the bridge to make room for new overhead electric wires as part of its £2bn electrification of the Great Western Main Line.

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