Lorry crash road reopens after 'extensive' repairs (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Lorry crash road reopens after 'extensive' repairs

6:16pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News

A MAIN route between the south coast and the Midlands has reopened after a vehicle transporter crashed shedding its load of cars.

Thousands of motorists endured a day of traffic chaos after the accident just after 11pm last night forced the closure the A34 near Whitchurch.

The road was closed in both directions after a car transporter being towed by a recovery truck broke free and smashed through the central reservation barrier. It sent cars spilling across the road.

The major road, which links the M3 with the Midlands, was closed most of the day for repairs.

The Highways Agency said it had to "extensively resurface" sections of both the north and southbound carriageways. Around 100 metres of barrier in the central reservation had to be replaced.

One lane was opened on the southbound carriageway just before midday and one lane northbound opened about 1.40pm. The remaining lanes reopened at about 4pm, the Agency said.

The 29-year-old driver of the tow truck was arrested on suspicion dangerous driving, driving with an insecure load and causing danger to other road users.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the crash which happened as the load travelled towards Bullington Cross.Contact Sergeant Lyndon Barrett at Whitchurch police quoting Operation Bodmin by phoning 101.