London Road bridge replacement delayed by four months

The new bridge was due to open in August 2014

Work to replace a bridge in Derby will take four months longer than expected, meaning extra disruption for motorists.

The 135-year-old London Road bridge crossed the main railway line going from Derby to Birmingham.

It was deemed unsafe for heavy traffic and work to demolish and replace it began last year.

The new bridge was due to open in August 2014, but Network Rail said there were issues with the "design and build" and the "supply of the steel".

Nick King, media relations manager for Network Rail, said: "Unfortunately due to the nature of the work and the complexity of it, it's taking longer than we initially hoped.

"Engineers are working as quickly as they can to get the structure completed and get things reopened for the travelling public."

The old bridge was deemed unsafe for heavy traffic

Traffic is being diverted along the A6 through Pride Park while the bridge is replaced.

Alex Minion, from Bob Minion Motorcycles on London Road, said the roadworks had affected the business more than expected, killing a lot of passing trade.

"We found last year with Christmas, a lot of small items that people would be getting for the season, it just didn't happen," he said.

"Another Christmas like that really could be quite crippling."