MOTORISTS and rail commuters faced travel chaos after a lorry hit a railway bridge in the New Forest.

The incident happened at the Ampress bridge on the A337 Southampton Road in Lymington this morning, and led to long delays developing in both directions.

The white, three-ton Mercedes lorry, which was carrying insulation material and was registered to a haulage company in Suffolk, became wedged under the bridge as a result.

The road between Marsh Lane and the Somerfield Roundabout has reopened after the lorry was recovered from the scene.

Bus services, such as the Bluestar number six service, were diverted via Pilley, with delays of up to 25 minutes reported.

Services to Lymington railway station were suspended and rail replacement bus service run until the lorry was removed at about 1.30pm.

The driver, a 73-year-old man from Nofolk, has been reported for driving offences and may appear at court at a later date.