DRIVERS are facing huge delays on the A34 in Newbury because of a lorry fire.

Highways England have said the A34 northbound remains closed due to damage caused to the road surface from the fire.

It is likely to be closed until 5pm. 

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Recovery vehicles are currently trying to clear the lorry off the A34. 

A RBFRS spokesman said: "At 12:18am on Thursday, 5 March, we received a call to reports of a large vehicle fire on the A34 Northbound between Bath Road and Chieveley.

"Two crews from Newbury and one from Hungerford, Dee Road and Wokingham were sent to the scene, alongside the water bowser from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"Two firefighters in breathing apparatus used a hose reel to extinguish the fire before damping down."

Half of the Newbury bypass (northbound) is currently full and drivers are urged to turn off on the A343 for Andover.

Reading Chronicle:

This affected traffic in West Berkshire with five-mile queues backing up into the morning rush hour.

The road is currently closed due to emergency road repairs and is expected to reopen at about 5pm.

Highways England said: "The fire was reported at 12.25am and as a resilt the northbound carriageway between the Speen (A4) and Donnington (a339) is closed.

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"The fire service is still on the scene as the HGV continues to smoulder. Once completely put out, the recovery operation will commence. However, an initial inspection suggests that severe damage to the carriageway will result in the road being closed for an extended period of the day as resurfacing takes place."