Bridge strike Plymouth 30 August

[whole diary]

[Bob_Blakey]

The sloping nature of the road under the bridge appears to be completely irrelevant to this incident because both bridge portals are quite clearly fitted with duplicate height restriction signs in both imperial & metric...unless of course the individual(s) who erected the signage took the measurement from the south portal and applied it to both sides of the bridge!

I think it would be a good idea for Network Rail to apply for a prohibition of any vehicles other than private motor cars (and motorcycles, scooters & bicycles obviously) from this section of road. Are they permitted to do that sort of thing?

[broadgage]

The sloping nature of the road under the bridge appears to be completely irrelevant to this incident because both bridge portals are quite clearly fitted with duplicate height restriction signs in both imperial & metric...unless of course the individual(s) who erected the signage took the measurement from the south portal and applied it to both sides of the bridge!

I think it would be a good idea for Network Rail to apply for a prohibition of any vehicles other than private motor cars (and motorcycles, scooters & bicycles obviously) from this section of road. Are they permitted to do that sort of thing?

Presuming that the height restriction signs were accurate, then I agree that the slope is irrelevant. The driver of the truck should lose their licence, and be required to sit a new test before being allowed to drive again.

Banning all vehicles larger than a car sounds attractive but might not be allowed. A 5 MPH speed limit for goods vehicles on the approach to, and under the bridge would help, firstly by giving "thinking time" and secondly by reducing the force of the impact when the driver presses on regardless. Enforce this by speed trap cameras.

I remain firmly of the opinion that very substantial financial penalties would greatly reduce the frequency of this sort of event. A few claims for a million pounds or more (bridge repairs, delays, costs of road transport and other costs could easily come to that much) would concentrate minds in the road haulage industry.

Sat nav systems are available that warn of low bridges are available and might help, but ultimately the driver needs to read, understand, and act upon the height restriction signs.

[onthecushions]

The gradient of the road under the bridge is entirely relevant in that it explains physically what happened and why the damage to the side of the bridge was so extensive. One hopes that the masonry is reinstated rather than just shuttered and concreted.

The gradient does not in any sense excuse what happened - presumably the bridge was stationary and the lorry moving. It is particularly blameworthy of a large vehicle driver to ignore (or be unaware of) road signs of any type, even if only paid £12/hr.

I still think that a sacrificial arch before such bridges is worth considering, as well as a height sticker in the windscreen.

OTC

[LiskeardRich]

Will say, from what I’m hearing from friends and family, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have put some work into sourcing replacement road transport.
A friend was at Plymouth station at 0515 this morning and was boarding a Pewsey Vale coach!  That’s a journey down from their coach depot of around 150 miles.

I drove to Exeter to be safe and not be stuck and at Exeter there were coaches from as far afield as Southampton!

[Pb_devon]

About the gradient…
The point I was trying to make was that the steep gradient might have prompted the driver to have been accelerating, hence entering the arch at pace and with momentum.
I walked past a short while ago, and workmen were busy erecting scaffolding.
Methinks this is not going to be quick!

[eXPassenger]

About the gradient…
The point I was trying to make was that the steep gradient might have prompted the driver to have been accelerating, hence entering the arch at pace and with momentum.
I walked past a short while ago, and workmen were busy erecting scaffolding.
Methinks this is not going to be quick!

and my point, which onthecushions confirmed, is that the gradient could explain why the driver thought he might fit regardless of the signs and why the damage appears to have been caused by an upward movement at the exit leaving the higher equipment on the lorry cab apparently undamaged.

[Pb_devon]

There was a comprehensive report from the site on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Spotlight this evening, about 10 minutes in. Available on iplayer until tomorrow.
An easy report for them to do as the BBC studios are only a few hundred yards away!
The NR^» (Network Rail - home page) engineer interviewed was hopeful that repairs would be complete for a normal service from Saturday (with an appropriate caveat).

[infoman]

So nice to see some one also watch's their local news's

More should do the same to find out whats going on in their area.

I watch BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) points west at 18:30pm and then watch BBC spotlight,and its not all about "grannys cat stuck up a tree story's"

[broadgage]

But was the cat OK ?

[Lee]

But was the cat OK ?

And did the tree remain intact and unharmed while the cat was rescued?

[bradshaw]

Reopening Saturday
Report here

https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1433841468796456961?s=21

[broadgage]

Reopening Saturday
Report here

https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1433841468796456961?s=21

I am impressed that the repairs were completed from BELOW. I was expecting that a section of the track would have to be removed to permit of access from above.
Network rail are not always as efficient as one might hope for, but praise when it is due.

[Electric train]

Reopening Saturday
Report here

https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1433841468796456961?s=21

I am impressed that the repairs were completed from BELOW. I was expecting that a section of the track would have to be removed to permit of access from above.
Network rail are not always as efficient as one might hope for, but praise when it is due.

NR^» (Network Rail - home page) reacts very quickly in these circumstances, especially as in this case NR had specialist contractors they could redeploy from a project.  NR can move speedily in events like this because the normal tendering and governance process are relaxed, even the normal time to approve method statements etc is processed quickly and of course there is no design review and sign off needed.
Would the above be appropriate for normal, no, because it will be expensive as the contractors will be paid on a cost plus basses and not a frame work rate 

[Pb_devon]

There is a detailed report of the single line operating method applied here on the CRS news page here: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/latest-input--news--old-pictures-etc

It’s dated 3rd September so you will need to scroll down the September news stories to locate it.

[Pb_devon]

I’ve just been past the site, and the road remains closed with scaffolding and propping in place. No doubt the repair has to ‘set’. The parapet has yet to be rebuilt.