Nathan Phillips' articulated lorry hit the low Iron Bridge on the A30 at Goss Moor on Monday.

It is the fifth incident of its kind this year.

But a new bypass which would avoid the Victorian railway bridge is not due to be completed until 2007.

We are getting totally frustrated that it takes so long to build a road that has been agreed upon

Brian Higman, Cornwall county councillor

Mr Phillips, from south Wales, said he missed the main warning sign when another motorist distracted him by driving too close.

He was unhurt, but loose fibreglass from his vehicle spread across the carriageway.

Part of the A30 was closed for four hours, causing traffic chaos in surrounding villages, particularly Roche.

Mr Phillips said he had used the road in the past, but was then driving a smaller truck.

The bridge had to be checked by Railtrack engineers, who discovered only superficial damage to the structure.

New bypass

Police records show that 17 collisions have taken place at the bridge since 1 January 1999.

But there is unlikely to be any alleviation to the problem for several years.

It will be two years before work begins on a promised £50m dual carriageway from Indian Queens to Innis Downs which will bypass the bridge, with the new road due to open in 2007.

Cornwall county councillor Brian Higman said local villagers could not understand the delays in building the new road.

"We are getting totally frustrated that it takes so long to build a road that has been agreed upon by most people.

"We are told it will happen, but it is an awful long time to wait."