Following 54 bridge strike incidents on its network last year, East Midlands Railway is urging HGV, bus and van drivers to be fully aware of their vehicle height in a bid to reduce the number of incidents.

Bridge strikes are an ongoing issue for the rail industry and impact the safety of the driver, rail passengers and staff members at risk whilst creating long delays with EMR experiencing 3,325 minutes of delays due to bridge strikes alone during 2023.

Further to the disruption caused by bridge strikes, they are also expensive with the UK taxpayer paying roughly £13,000 for each hit.

In an attempt to reduce the number of bridge strikes each year, the rail operator has released details of its 10 most-hit bridges, hoping that it will raise awareness of the tricky structures which often catch drivers out. The bridges are as follows:

1. Mansfield – Debdale Lane (A6075) which has been struck a massive 40 times over 10 years!
2. Kettering- Rothwell Road
3. South Wingfield – Matlock Road (A615)
4. Syston – Fletton Bridge / High Street
5. Trowell – Stapleford Road (A6007)
6. Hinckley – Rugby Road (B4109)
7. Market Harborough – Scotland Road
8. Longton – Bridgewood Street
9. Sileby – King Street
10. Bull Bridge – Ambergate

Industry research has revealed that 43% of HGV drivers do not measure their vehicle before travelling, alongside a further 52% sharing that they do not take low bridges into account! Being aware of vehicle height limits can reduce the risk of bridge strikes greatly against the causes which include:

• Going off the line of a route, including under diversion
• Operating ‘not in service’ and taking a shortcut
• Insufficient route knowledge returning a vehicle to the depot for maintenance
• Drivers of single-deck vehicles taking a double-deck vehicle on a single-deck route

Unfortunately, bridge strikes are a constant issue that affects our network each year. Drivers and rail customers may experience frustration and delayed journeys, but a bridge strike has the potential to cause a train derailment with catastrophic consequences as well as loss of life or serious injury to the vehicle driver, passengers, and other people nearby

Those responsible for causing a bridge strike may be liable for costs associated with the incident, including the inspection and repair of the bridge and the cost of train delays, which can be considerable.

We have shared the top ten most-hit bridges across our network to raise awareness but we are also urging drivers to understand fully the height of their vehicle and not take any unnecessary risks – especially if they are on roads they are not familiar with.

Michael Webb, Joint Head of Performance at East Midlands Railway

For more information or to find further guidance for drivers, please click here.