A66 to be closed for ‘several days’ after 20ft pipe falls from lorry
A major Teesside route is set to be closed for days after a huge metal pipe fell from a travelling lorry.
There was chaos on the roads on Wednesday after a 20-meter metal pipe fell from the back of a lorry on the A66[1] leaving craters in parts of the road. Cleveland Police[2] closed the road to motorists on the westbound carriageway, instead directing vehicles towards Borough Road in Middlesbrough[3].
The force urged the public to avoid the area while emergency repairs got underway to repair the damage on the road between Cargo Fleet Lane and North Ormesby[4]. It was confirmed that there were no casualties, however it has been announced that the road will be closed for ‘several days’ in order to make the road safe again.
Middlesbrough Council[6] confirmed that the 1.5-diameter section of the pipe had spilled from the lorry just past the Shepherdson Way junction on Wednesday afternoon between North Ormesby and Cineworld. At the time the council predicted a ‘lengthy closure’ as a crane would be needed to lift the pipe.
Footage from the incident was shared widely on social media, with some describing it as like a scene from a Final Destination film. In a video sent to Teesside Live, you can overhear a person joke “dropped something?” as they pass by the pipe.
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police warned motorists of the days long closure, saying: “The A66 westbound between Cargo Fleet Lane and North Ormesby[7] will remain closed for several days after a large concrete pipe fell onto the road from a lorry, causing extensive damage. Diversions are in place. Please plan an alternative route.”
A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: “This is likely to be a lengthy closure as a crane will be required to lift the section of pipe, and repairs will need to be carried out to the carriageway. Where possible we would advise motorists to avoid the area until further notice, and we apologise for any inconvenience.”
References
- ^ A66 (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Cleveland Police (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Ormesby (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ LIVE: A66 westbound closed after huge pipe tumbles from lorry leaving craters in road (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough Council (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ North Ormesby (www.gazettelive.co.uk)