Bridge Strike at Ashford

[Bushy]

Newtown Bridge on Ashford to Hastings line suffered a strike today.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/lorry-stuck-under-bridge-25248/

A lorry became stuck under the Newtown railway bridge this afternoon.
The front cab of the HGV became wedged under the bridge and the top has been ripped off.
The road was closed in both directions as police, recovery and Kent Highways dealt with the situation.
A spokesman for Kent Police, who are still at the scene, said the lorry was unable to back out and officers even tried letting down the tyres to create more space.
She said: "The bridge is not too bad and is looking stable at the moment. The vehicle has been seized as it is in a dangerous position."
The road was reopened at 4.14pm.

The other half was caught the wrong side of the bridge at about 1345, so the road was closed for over two hours. Real time trains indicates that there was little impact to train services. I think they put crash beams in when they rebuilt the bridge in 2008, if so they may have proved effective.

Regards

Bushy

 

[2R84]

This used to be a much more regular occurrence!

The new bridge has certainly been struck at least once previously from the town side as I noticed some damage to the crash structure and one of the reflective chevron signs being replaced a couple of years ago.

 

[Antman]

Clearly the CPC courses still don't prevent drivers hitting well known and well sign posted low bridges, how do they manage it?

 

[455driver]

Clearly the CPC courses still don't prevent drivers hitting well known and well sign posted low bridges, how do they manage it?

The tw@nav told them to go that way!

 

[High Dyke]

As an aside after one bridge strike too many - the penultimate one seriously damaging the brickwork - Springfield Road in Grantham (ECM1 - Br: 240) is supposed to be having protection barriers fitted on its approach, despite the objections of the local council about unsightly structures.

 

[dysonsphere]

As an aside after one bridge strike too many - the penultimate one seriously damaging the brickwork - Springfield Road in Grantham (ECM1 - Br: 240) is supposed to be having protection barriers fitted on its approach, despite the objections of the local council about unsightly structures.

Prehaps the local council would like to pay for the ongoing repairs and delays to train services.

 

[High Dyke]

Prehaps the local council would like to pay for the ongoing repairs and delays to train services.

They're too busy pandering to one of the local landowners that wants to build a 'new town' style development on the edge of the town... Still if it gets them a shiny new single carriageway bypass for A52 traffic...

 

[Greenback]

How dare bridges strike. They do nothing but stand around all day. It's a disgrace, such action should be outlawed.

Sorry, I couldn't resist the title of the thread! I'll get my coat now...

 

[Bushy]

How successful are Overheight Detection Systems? There is a system on Turnpike Bridge (SBJ655) on the A20 at Hollingbourne. This has 4.6 - 4.7 m limit so not as low as some of those frequently hit; but presumably had been hit frequently enough to make the system viable. They are also used on road tunnels.

Regards

Bushy

 

[w0033944]

How successful are Overheight Detection Systems? There is a system on Turnpike Bridge (SBJ655) on the A20 at Hollingbourne. This has 4.6 - 4.7 m limit so not as low as some of those frequently hit; but presumably had been hit frequently enough to make the system viable. They are also used on road tunnels.

Regards

Bushy

If U.S. experience with the 11'8" bridge in North Carolina is anything to go by, not very.:roll:

https://www.youtube.com/user/yovo68/videos

 

[yorksrob]

How dare bridges strike. They do nothing but stand around all day. It's a disgrace, such action should be outlawed.

Sorry, I couldn't resist the title of the thread! I'll get my coat now...

B-boom tish !

 

[najaB]

If U.S. experience with the 11'8" bridge in North Carolina is anything to go by, not very.:roll:

If anything, that says that they aren't effective if the warning lights are too close. From one of the videos it seems that by the time the driver can see the lights it's too late to do anything about it - there was no sign of braking at all.

 

[w0033944]

If anything, that says that they aren't effective if the warning lights are too close. From one of the videos it seems that by the time the driver can see the lights it's too late to do anything about it - there was no sign of braking at all.

There are large warning signs on the approach to the bridge which also alert drivers to the warning lights which are activated if sensors detect a vehicle is over the maximum height to clear the crash beam.

 

[najaB]

There are large warning signs on the approach to the bridge which also alert drivers to the warning lights which are activated if sensors detect a vehicle is over the maximum height to clear the crash beam.

They aren't that large - I think it could be made much more obvious: Streetview

 

[w0033944]

They aren't that large - I think it could be made much more obvious: Streetview

I'd have thought that they'd stand-out when flashing, though?:-?

 

[najaB]

And, given that the website says that the bridge gets hit about once a month, I can't be the only one who thinks so!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'd have thought that they'd stand-out when flashing, though?:-?

The question is, how far away do they start flashing? It looks from the videos like most of the drivers are going faster than the 25mph speed limit, so maybe the timing of the lights flashing is based on the vehicles travelling a lot slower than they actually are, hence the drivers don't see it until too late.

 

[w0033944]

And, given that the website says that the bridge gets hit about once a month, I can't be the only one who thinks so!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The question is, how far away do they start flashing? It looks from the videos like most of the drivers are going faster than the 25mph speed limit, so maybe the timing of the lights flashing is based on the vehicles travelling a lot slower than they actually are, hence the drivers don't see it until too late.

I think Ron White may have an explanation...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQv7Tr8HbGE

 

[najaB]

I think Ron White may have an explanation...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQv7Tr8HbGE

You're definitely on to something there!