Birmingham railway bridge hit for fourth time this month as trains cancelled again

-Credit:Google
-Credit:Google


A railway bridge in Birmingham was tonight hit for the fourth time this month - leaving trains cancelled. The 14ft bridge, which carries the Cross City Line over Summer Road in Erdington, was involved in yet another road vehicle collision today, Monday, January 27.

The same bridge was hit twice on January 7. The first lorry did not stop, with the bridge later reopening after a check by safety inspectors. It was then bashed for a second time that day as a lorry trailer had its roof ripped off hours later.

The same bridge was also hit and toppled a lorry on January 3. In a fifth incident in just 12 weeks, an HGV struck the same bridge on November 8, last year. The driver was charged with drink-driving.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Redditch cocaine dealers jailed after police targeted ‘Madz’ county drugs line

READ MORE: Police probing BMW hit-and-run make picture appeal

Taking to X, West Midlands Railway posted tonight: "Line Blocked between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley. Due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley the line is blocked. Services running may be cancelled or delayed."

A lorry had its trailer roof ripped off by the Erdington bridge on January 7 -Credit:Network Rail
A lorry had its trailer roof ripped off by the Erdington bridge on January 7 -Credit:Network Rail

Just weeks ago, lorry drivers were told "wise up, size up" with truckers urged to know the height of their vehicle.

Martin Colmey, operations director for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “There is no excuse for driving a lorry into a railway bridge. Our bridges are clearly marked, and lorry drivers should always know the height restrictions of their vehicles. To ignore both and bash a bridge, causing disruption to passengers and road users, is unforgivable.

Toppled lorry crash at the Summer Lane's railway bridge, in Erdington, on January 3
Toppled lorry crash at the Summer Lane's railway bridge, in Erdington, on January 3 -Credit:Network Rail

“We are looking into what might have caused this recent spate of bridge bashes but I plead with all drivers to know their vehicle restrictions and if in doubt about whether they can fit under a bridge to always use an alternative route.”