Railway bridges struck by road vehicles - merged topic, ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

As a sort of follow on to this topic:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11525.0;topicseen

Take a look at this bridge bash video from across the pond:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20MCxSFgrnc

[Chris from Nailsea]

Another example of a commendably robust railway bridge, in Cheshire - from This is Cheshire:

HGV now removed after being stuck under bridge on Marsh House Lane



A lorry has crashed into the railway bridge on Marsh House Lane in Padgate, closing the road for four hours.

Police say the collision occurred at 2.02pm today, Thursday.

Marsh House Lane has now reopened following the accident which saw the HGV stuck under the bridge.

The HGV is currently stuck underneath the bridge, although it is not yet known what caused the crash.

No one was injured and the road was reopened around 6pm after the lorry was removed.

Network Rail engineers inspected the bridge, although the rail line is no longer used, and found there was no long term damage.

 

[SandTEngineer]

.......yes but in the video the vehicles are actually hitting a bridge bash beam errected in front of the bridge (and slicing off the tops of the lorries before they actually hit the bridge structure - as designed)

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Here's another effective bridge bash beam, at Pangbourne.

[rogerw]

"The HGV is currently stuck underneath the bridge, although it is not yet known what caused the crash."

I just love this superb piece of reporting

[paul7575]

"The HGV is currently stuck underneath the bridge, although it is not yet known what caused the crash."

I just love this superb piece of reporting

Perhaps the journo might have been on that course about accurate insurance claim reporting, run by a certain Mr J Carrott?

Paul

[Chris from Nailsea]

Another example of a lorry driver with a sense of optimism bordering on insanity in even thinking this was possible - from Railway Eye:

[eightf48544]

I am glad we are getting round to installing bridge bash beams on low bridges.

I first saw these in Magdeburg in 1996 and thought what a superb idea.

There they have two ways of discouraging high lorries. One large steel girders a couple of metres in front of teh bridge and 600V tram overhead!

In my opinion the tram wires are the best as it means that you've got a proper urban public transport system around town as well.

As a matter of interest does anyone know if the drivers get points on their licence for hitting a bridge?

[Chris from Nailsea]

Anyone recognise this bridge? 

From This Is Cheshire:

Lorry stuck under Marsh House Lane bridge in Orford



A lorry has become jammed under the railway bridge on Marsh House Lane in Orford for the second time in two weeks.

The wagon became stuck after 10.30am at the bridge between Hume Street and O'Leary Street - causing the road to be closed.

Only a fortnight ago, a HGV also crashed into the same bridge in a similar fashion with its roof becoming trapped under the undercarriage.

Engineers from Network Rail were called at 11am to check any damage to the bridge.

Trains will not be affected as the railway bridge is not in use.

Marsh House Lane is still closed and police are advising drivers to avoid the area.

... particularly HGV drivers ... 

[Chris from Nailsea]

And again ... from This Is Local London:

Lorry stuck after railway bridge crash next to Raynes Park station



There was commotion on a quiet side road this afternoon after a lorry became stuck in a railway bridge. The accident happened at about 3pm in a non-through road next to Raynes Park station, in which it appears the lorry drove underneath the railway line and exceeded the maximum height restriction.

Passersby on the ground - and on the train line above - watched as the lorry blocked the tunnel, with the driver having to let down the tyres and try to get the vehicle through.

A witness, Ben Steele, said: "It looks like he was carrying scrap metal because a girder has become stuck too. There were a lot of people standing around and taking pictures, some cars were complaining they couldn't get through. But to be honest it's quite jocular. People are having a bit of a laugh and taking photos. I suppose it helps it's a nice day today."

No injuries have been reported.

Other than to the lorry driver's credibility, perhaps. 

[JayMac]

Perhaps 'Applied Impressions' can be employed to use their sign-writing skills to knock-up some cocking great warning signs at this and other low bridge locations.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Oh, the irony! 

[Chris from Nailsea]

And another - from the Westmorland Gazette:

Lorry stuck under bridge leads to train delays on Lakes Line


The lorry stuck under the bridge. Pic by Andrew Stuart.

Train services along the Lakes Line were experiencing delays and cancellations this afternoon after a lorry collided with a railway bridge.

The accident happened when a HGV Scania struck the underside of the railway bridge spanning Burneside Road in Kendal. The male driver of the vehicle, belonging to haulage firm, Bird^s Groupage Limited, was said to be unhurt.

Police attended the scene and traffic was moving freely after the lorry was eventually reversed from under the 14ft nine inch bridge.

Passerby Andrew Stuart was on the scene and said he saw the driver  'holding his head in his hands' after the accident.

"The lorry was the only vehicle involved and the driver was not hurt,"  said Mr Stuart.

As a precautionary measure, train services running in both directions and involving stations at Windermere, Staveley, Burneside, Kendal and Oxenholme were subject to delays.

At least one service to Oxenholme was cancelled and it is likely structural checks will be made to the bridge before services can fully resume.

[TonyK]

As a matter of interest does anyone know if the drivers get points on their licence for hitting a bridge?

There is no specific offence of hitting a bridge, but that does not mean the law has not been broken. Any bridge of a height under 4.95 metres (16' 9") will have the height displayed in a warning sign, or more usually warning signs. Any vehicle with a height of over 3 metres (9' 10") should have a plate showing the height displayed in the cab. Transport operations managers must have protocols in place to ensure drivers can check the height so displayed is accurate. None of this will stop a driver in an unfamiliar vehicle or on an unfamiliar route, or whose mind is on other things, from missing the warnings and hitting the bridge. Assuming he didn't do it intentionally, or as a result of an dangerous act, he will be open to prosecution under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which says:

3 Careless, and inconsiderate, driving.

If a person drives a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place, he is guilty of an offence.

The offence occurs when, viewed objectively, the defendant's driving falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver. I cannot see how a competent driver, exercising reasonable care, could drive an oversized vehicle under an undersized bridge. The maximum penalty is a scale 5 fine (^5000). The court must endorse the driver's licence with between 3 and 9 points, and has discretion to impose a disqualification. The sentence must reflect the degree of carelessness, not the effect of the incident. If death or serious injury results, a different, more serious charge would follow. But if no-one is harmed, the legal consequence for the driver should be the same if only a lick of paint is needed for the bridge as it would be were a six-track historic Grade 1 listed bridge to have to be demolished and rebuilt.

If the lapse in concentration was caused by reading the paper, using a mobile phone, lighting a fag, fiddling with the satnav or whatever, our driver may find that whatever excuse he offers will be likely to be disregarded, because case law has grown around these activities. The prosecution may even be for dangerous driving, under section 2 of the RTA 1988. The maximum then is 2 years prison, and an unlimited fine.  Disqualification is mandatory.

So yes, points can be awarded for hitting a bridge, but there would need to be a prosecution. Often in these cases, the law seems to shrug its shoulders and leave it to civil law to sort out the damages, unless something really nasty happens. The real pain will start for unfortunate driver and his employer when the insurance comes up for renewal. The driver and / or employer will be held responsible for all consequential costs, including the costs of stopping the railway from running. The scale of the problem can be glimpsed in this report from Network Rail

[John R]

I do wonder how interested Network Rail are though. I reported to them a year ago that one of the height restriction signs on the bridge at Nailsea & Backwell was missing, and it's still missing. Their response was that it is a local authority problem, but they would pass the message on. They haven't followed up to check that it has been done though.