Homeowners have expressed their frustration over a lack of work to repair a bridge which was struck by a car nearly a year ago.

Residents living on Bridge Street in Witney say the cordoned off bridge is an "eyesore" and potentially dangerous.

They say the lack of progress to rebuild it "is becoming a joke".

The bridge has been cordoned off since December last year.

A 24-year-old man from Witney was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and leaving the scene of an accident after a BMW left the road and crashed through the wall of the bridge on December 4, 2022.

Police confirmed no further action was taken against the driver.

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With the first anniversary of the accident approaching, pressure is now mounting on Oxfordshire County Council to carry out the necessary repairs.

Oxford Mail: Cllr Duncan Enright and Andrew Coles at the bridge on Bridge Street

Maureen Hermon lives in an apartment overlooking the bridge.

She said: "The view out of our lounge window is now a big blot of red and white barriers. The view coming over the bridge is no better.

"It is becoming a joke, one that's not funny. It is not doing the town any favours and it is such an eyesore."

New Bridge Street resident Chris Hopkins said: "Apart from being an eyesore it's a real safety concern as the footpath has to narrow around the haphazard protection and also a busy pedestrian crossing."

And Dr Lawrence Haar, from nearby Woodford Mill, said: "It is the first thing greeting visitors to Witney including prospective businesses, shoppers and home buyers.

"It needs fixing."

County councillors Andrew Coles and Duncan Enright represent divisions straddling the bridge.

Mr Coles has tabled an urgent question to county highways chief Andrew Gant ahead of the next county council meeting on December 12.

He said: "We know that money is tight and that all councils are having to make difficult decisions but there are contingencies for this type of incident and is it completely unacceptable that we've had to wait this long with no sign of any repairs about to start.

"It reflects poorly on the town. I think its fair to say it reflects poorly on the county council too". 

Mr Enright said it was not the only bridge waiting to be fixed.

He added: "Some of our footbridges are also a mess and in need of repair with holes appearing and rails failing, the county council needs to seriously up its game."

Burford bridge is also waiting for repairs after it was hit by a Mercedes Sprinter van on June 9, 2022.

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A county council spokesperson said: "No firm dates have been set yet. We are in contact with our contractors, who are monitoring water levels.

"It is likely that the work in both cases will be delayed until the Spring as stonework can’t be laid in cold temperatures."

The narrow Radcot bridge which carries the A4095 road north of Faringdon has also been struck and needs repairs.

The Halfpenny Bridge at Lechlade, which is the responsibility of Gloucestershire County Council, reopened in early November after a five month closure for repairs after a car crashed into it.