THOUSANDS of drivers faced rush-hour chaos today because of a fault in a swing bridge.

Traffic was gridlocked for about five miles on the A259 from Newhaven after the bridge became stuck at Newhaven Port.

The problem was made worse as parents drove children to school for the first day of term.

Aspokesman for Newhaven Port company said a fault on a motor had developed after the bridge had opened to let a sand dredger through.

He added: "It took about 15 minutes to identify the problem. A temporary motor was brought in to open the bridge, but it took longer to open it."

Queues stretched back eastbound as far as Seaford, and affected the main coast road through Peacehaven in the other direction.

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