The A66 Westbound - which has been closed for the past week after a lorry shed its load - has reopened. 

A 40-tonne concrete pipe, which fell off the back of a lorry last Wednesday (June 28) was successfully removed following a week of planning. 

The 20m-long gas heat exchanger, which weighs more than 40 tonnes, was lifted by a crane.

The huge object was then lowered onto a low loader, before being secured and driven away.

Temporary repairs were then made on the road. 

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The westbound carriageway of the A66, between North Ormesby and the Cineworld turn-off in central Middlesbrough, is open and operational, with diversions around the tube removed.  

Ahead of the removal, Geoff Field, Middlesbrough Council’s Director of Environment & Commercial Services, said: “We are working round the clock to get the road back open as quickly as we can but to do that we need to get the vessel lifted out and taken away.

“A lot of work has been done around weight calculations for the crane coming in to ensure we get it removed safely.

“Once that’s been done we will repair the damage to the tarmac and to the waterproofing on the bridge itself.

“Where possible this work will be undertaken overnight, but we advise motorists to avoid the area where possible until further notice.

“In the meantime, I’d like to thank the travelling public for their patience and understanding, and assure them that we will have the A66 fully open again as soon as we possibly can.”