A one-way traffic light system will be put in place in Chapel Lane, Wymondham, after a bridge there was damaged in an accident on Tuesday night.

A lorry hit the bridge over the Mid-Norfolk Railway about 10pm, knocking over part of the brickwork.

Though the road was officially closed yesterday, motorists were able to drive through and many did so, leading to reports the road had been re-opened.

A Norfolk County Council spokesman said: 'A section of wall of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Bridge on Chapel Lane, immediately adjacent to the main structure, was demolished and given the damage, we took the precaution of putting an emergency road closure in place.

'We also notified the bridge owners Mid Norfolk Railway.

'Following a more detailed site assessment, we have instructed our contractor to install a temporary barrier to protect the area where the wing-wall is missing, and install temporary traffic lights which will allow us to lift the road closure.

'This should be in place this afternoon.'

The bridge is near the junction of Chapel Lane and Tuttles Lane.

Miranda Leivers, who lives in Wymondham and saw the damage yesterday, said: 'From the tyre marks, looks like the driver was lucky not to drop down to the train track'.

UPDATE: The road is now not expected to be re-opened with a one-way system until early tomorrow (Friday). Commuters have been asked to refrain from bypassing the signs and going over the bridge anyway in the meantime, as the damage makes the area potentially dangerous.