FIRMS in Pixon Lane, Tavistock, are calling for an old railway bridge which leads to their premises to be knocked down, following the latest damage to the structure.

The bridge was damaged by a lorry last Thursday but this is not the first time, say traders, who have experienced two other road closures to their businesses in the last two and a half years.

Craig Howells, of Tavistock Hire Centre, said: 'It's a nightmare. We have no idea how long the bridge is going to be closed for, in the meantime the effect on trade for us is huge.

'Last time it was closed for a couple of weeks when a vehicle hit the bridge. It is a massive inconvenience. There is another way to get to Pixon Lane Industrial Estate but people are reluctant to travel around when the traffic is as bad as it is.'

Mr Howells, who said up to 50 businesses were affected by the closure of Pixon Lane, added: 'Why can't they just knock down the bridge? They have done it in other places like Horrabridge or perhaps they can put up some clearer signage because it can't keep happening.'

Paul Bishop, of Bishop and Turnbull car repairs, said all his suppliers and customers used Pixon Lane to get to his business.

'I would like to see the bridge come down but the cost to do that would be collosal. The problem is the bridge is a strange angle to the road and drivers are not going up the middle of it.

Another business affected was the Body Zone Health Club. Chris Dykes, joint owner of the family business, said: 'It has been an absolute nightmare and virtually closed us down on Thursday and Friday. It was only because we complained that the council highways put up signs to say that there was access to businesses here at Crelake Industrial Estate — and it took quite a fight to get that.

'I cannot understand why the bridge is still there. It's nice to have have the bridge to look at but if it causes so much trouble, why have it?'

Mr Dykes said the original signs the council put up of 'road closed' just put people off coming down to the industrial estate even though there was access, but did add that now new signs are up saying that access can be to businesses things have improved.

The road closure was ordered by Devon County Council. Cllr Stuart Hughes, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: 'Both approaches to the bridge are signed and the road marked accordingly to warn drivers of large vehicles of the height and width.'

The British Railways Board Residuary which owns the bridge, said the aim was to finish the work by the end of this week, sooner if possible. A spokesperson said a stone had become dislodged when a vehicle which was too high had tried to get under the bridge.

He said there was no proposal to take the bridge away and there would have to be a business case for doing so.