A BRIDGE that collapsed underneath a lorry in Fiddlers Ferry was due to be replaced in February, the Warrington Guardian can reveal.

Warrington Borough Council has confirmed a new bridge was going to be installed.

Businesses at the trading estate on Fiddlers Ferry claim the bridge was due to be replaced this year with work delayed until February.

The council has yet to confirm that is the case.

Meanwhile, a HGV that fell through the bridge remains trapped in the St Helens canal.

It tipped up and crashed backwards into the water when travelling towards the trading estate.

The lorry has been stuck in the canal for nearly 24 hours after the collapse at 12.47pm yesterday, Thursday.

A council spokesman said: “Council officers were on site yesterday inspecting the bridge.

“The wagon will be removed today using special lifting equipment.

“The bridge is currently scheduled to be replaced in February but the situation will need to be assessed following the removal of the vehicle.”

Police say it could not be removed last night as engineers were working to make the bridge safe.

The load of the lorry - sand and mud - has to be emptied before it can be recovered, according to officers.

Work on emptying the load was due to begin at 10.30am today, Friday.

A 32-year-old man driving the lorry was not injured.

Workers faced difficulties leaving the trading estate on Thursday night, using a small access road next to the Ferry Tavern pub.

Limos North West said it will now move its fleet of vehicles to another location.