A Felixstowe railway bridge is set to remain closed to vehicles until barriers can be installed to enable repairs to damage caused by a car that crashed into the brickwork.

Bricks were loosened on the Mill Lane bridge after the single vehicle crash at 10.30pm on Thursday, October 26.

A team from rail infrastructure operator Network Rail inspected the bridge and decided to close the structure to vehicles to prevent any further damage.

READ MORE: Kesgrave man charged after crash in Mill Lane, Felixstowe

Bricks dislodged during the impact that were at risk of falling on to the tracks below were removed, which enabled freight trains to continue operating on the line, which links up with the Port of Felixstowe.

Water filled barriers are set to be installed 'as soon as possible' to prevent any further contact between vehicles and the bridge, which will allow the road to reopen 'in the interim.'

However, the timing for the installation of the barriers is yet to be confirmed.

Once the barrier protection is in place, the Network Rail team will be able to plan and undertake permanent repairs to the brickwork.

READ MORE: Felixstowe news

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience being caused by the closure of the Mill Lane bridge to road traffic while we plan and carry out repairs to the brick parapet, which was damaged by a vehicle strike on October 26.

"A temporary barrier will be put in place as soon as possible to protect the damaged parapet which will allow the road to reopen while we plan a more permanent solution to repair the brickwork.”

James Chatfield, of Curtis Way in Kesgrave, has been charged with driving without due care and attention and failure to provide a specimen of breath in connection with a crash at the bridge. 

The 36-year-old has been bailed to appear before Suffolk Magistrates' Court on December 8.