Yahoo News Network Rail slams trucker after lorry hits Stoke-on-Trent bridge
Rail bosses say a key bridge in the Potteries was out of action for an hour after a truck smashed into it. Network Rail has said such incidents are 'completely avoidable' after the Longton crash.
Police and firefighters were called out to Anchor Road at around 10am yesterday where a truck carrying a lorry had hit the bridge. That resulted in the vehicle toppling off with a van being struck.
StokeonTrentLive reported how cops urged drivers to stay away from the area with the road only able to reopen at around 7.20pm. Network Rail had been notified just before 10am.
Engineers found 'minor scrapes' to the paintwork on the underside of the bridge. Following an inspection the bridge was cleared as safe for trains to run over it again at 11am.
It's not the first time a railway bridge has been struck in the Potteries. In October last year a truck became wedged beneath a structure on Fenton's City Road which also brought trains to a stop - and the road shut off.
Following the latest smash Network Rail has urged drivers to be aware of the dimensions of their vehicle.
A spokesperson said: "Bridge strikes by large vehicles are completely avoidable but all too often cause needless disruption to both rail passengers and road users. This ultimately costs taxpayers millions of pounds every year. We urge drivers to always know the height and size of their vehicles - including any loads they are carrying - and to carefully plan their routes so our infrastructure isn’t put at risk in this way.”
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to Anchor Road following reports of a collision involving a lorry and a truck at the railway bridge After establishing no-one was injured or trapped, we assisted colleagues at Staffordshire Police in making the vehicles safe before leaving the scene."
We have contacted Staffordshire Police for a comment on yesterday's smash.
