DRIVERS on the A303 are faced long delays after a lorry crashed into a telegraph pole bringing power lines down onto the road.

Devon and Cornwall police were dealing with the crash which was on A303 in the village of Marsh, west of Chard.

The road was closed both ways between A303/A30 junction and Eagle Tavern, near Buckland St Mary.

A spokesman for Highways England said: "Drivers planning to use the A303 this afternoon are advised to allow extra time for their journeys following an earlier incident near the Devon/Somerset border.

"The single carriageway section of the A303 is closed in both directions near Marsh after a lorry collided with a telegraph pole at 2.15pm, bringing power lines down across both carriageways.

"The road is expected to be closed for some time to enable safe recovery of the power lines, and drivers are being advised by Highways England to plan their journeys and consider alternative routes.

"An eastbound diversion is in place via the B3170, while westbound traffic is being diverted via The Eagle Tavern to follow the A30 and rejoin the A303 near Upottery."

The road reopened around 6.30pm.