A 40-tonne crane that overturned and rolled down an embankment in south Shropshire may not be removed for at least two months, it has been claimed.

The incident happened in an unclassified road behind Stokesay Castle a week ago.

Today Neil Forster, managing director of Direct Crane Hire, said that the £200,000 vehicle, which is stuck in a small valley, would not be removed for at least two months because it would take Shropshire Council’s highways division some time to repair the road.

Investigations are continuing and the road has been reopened to light traffic. The Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed of the incident.

The crane had been on its way to carry out sewage works on behalf of contractors Black & Veatch at a site owned by Severn Trent.

Two of its wheels came off the road where it runs alongside Stokesay pond and it later rolled down the embankment ending up on its roof. The 54-year-old driver suffered shock but was otherwise unhurt.

Chris Fisher, Shropshire Council’s highways manager for south Shropshire, said: “Before the crane can be removed by road, we will need to carry out works to repair the embankment at the side of the road which was damaged when the crane overturned. We have met with the owner of the crane to discuss alternative ways of removing the crane.

“We are currently in discussions with the landowner of the adjacent field, Severn Trent and English Heritage to discuss how best to repair the embankment and when this work can be completed.”

Meanwhile, staff at Stokesay Castle said the attraction was still open.