One of the most hit railway bridges, on Stonea Bridge in Cambridgeshire, has reopened following repairs by Network Rail engineers.
Stonea bridge was closed in 2019 after a vehicle hit the bridge and caused significant damage. The bridge is on the railway line between Ely and Peterborough.
Engineers have repaired the bridge and also installed a new protection beam which should help with any future bridge strikes.
The maximum vehicle height has been reduced to 2 metres because of the new protection beam, new signage has been installed by Cambridgeshire County Council.
Until it was closed, Stonea Bridge was the second most hit in the country. Five bridge strikes a day occur on average around the UK, costing around £13,000 each, or a total of £23m a year.
Network Rail have more information on how they respond to bridge strikes over on their website.
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “The disruption this incident caused shows why it’s so important for motorists to know the height of the vehicle they are driving. We have carried out extensive works to make the bridge stronger, but this doesn’t mean that drivers can be complacent. Motorists should do their bit too and wise up, size up.”
Cllr John Gowing, member for March South and Rural at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I’m pleased to see the road has reopened as this will reduce traffic in the area. The new signage will provide warning to drivers on the approach to the bridge and help prevent further accidents. I do understand that local residents may still have some concerns and I’d urge drivers of larger vehicles who use the route to be aware of the bridge, read the signs and check the size of your vehicle.”
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Responses
Obviously drivers driving large tall vehicle can’t pass underneath the low bridge. Except cars, smaller vans and bikes can pass underneath. Plus the A138 low bridge that carries the London-Norwich railway line and Harwich Town branch line on the at Manningtree, Essex has also been hit the hardest.
Okay….that damage hurt to watch.
Maybe it needs a webcam and a website like 11foot8 (which is now 12foot4)