Bridge strike, Ely

[EltonRoad]

Hi. I was at Ely this morning, photographing the steam train en route to Norwich.

As I was leaving in the car, and driving towards the railway underpass, I saw that a small lorry had got wedged under the bridge with its topside ripped off. The police were diverting traffic over the level crossing.

I have to say this seems a pretty stupid act as there is a visual warning system here for over-height lorries, and the alternative route over the level crossing must add all of 30 seconds onto your journey.

What is likely to happen to the driver? Will he be charged?

 

[Donny Dave]

More than likely, but I think the only thing the lorry driver wll be charged with is Driving without due care and attention.

It all depends on what tacho records, etc show up when they are inspected.

 

[Nick W]

Of course the real punishment will probably come from the lorry driver's employer, especially as the insurance company isn't likely to be too happy.
Won't the company's premium be increased as a result of the claim that will be against them from the railway in the same way an individual's premium would be?

 

[GB]

I have to say this seems a pretty stupid act as there is a visual warning system here for over-height lorries, and the alternative route over the level crossing must add all of 30 seconds onto your journey

Sadly its a common daily thing across the network.

 

[O L Leigh]

The underpass at Ely gets hit on a regular basis and has done for years beyond number. The problem is that you get someone driving, say, a rental van who is not used to driving a vehicle of that size and they forget that it's too tall to go under.

In fact, I have hired just such a vehicle some years back (a Ford Transit Luton) and was informed that it had just come back from the coachbuilders following an argument with the rail bridge at Ely. That's not the first time that a van rental company has specifically warned me about that bridge, even though I wasn't going anywhere near Ely on any of those ocassions.

O L Leigh

 

[jopsuk]

Ro reduce disruption to trains in case of bridge strikes, would physical protection perhaps be an idea? On the approach to a bridge, build a solid (concrete and steel) carrier across the road with the same clearence as the bridge? It wouldn't be possible in all locations, and wouldn't help with the disruption to road traffic much, but shouldn't cause any more damage to the road vehicle than hitting the bridge (so no safety issue) and would protect the bridge. At Ely, for example, they could be built across at the junctions to the level crossing route.

 

[tivoli]

There are plans to build a bypass to avoid the rail bridge, which is one of the most hit bridges in the country, but it remains only a plan at this stage

 

[royaloak]

Ro reduce disruption to trains in case of bridge strikes, would physical protection perhaps be an idea? On the approach to a bridge, build a solid (concrete and steel) carrier across the road with the same clearence as the bridge? It wouldn't be possible in all locations, and wouldn't help with the disruption to road traffic much, but shouldn't cause any more damage to the road vehicle than hitting the bridge (so no safety issue) and would protect the bridge. At Ely, for example, they could be built across at the junctions to the level crossing route.

And somebody hits it which makes it fall off the supporting pillars, landing on a car coming the other way killing the occupants. A very good idea but this is why it isn't used, although some bridges do have beams placed on the same supports as the bridge deck.

 

[90019]

And somebody hits it which makes it fall off the supporting pillars, landing on a car coming the other way killing the occupants. A very good idea but this is why it isn't used, although some bridges do have beams placed on the same supports as the bridge deck.

I would've thought it would be more sensible to have one that can move when it's hit, but makes a loud enough noise so that you know your vehicle is too high.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Something like this;

http://www.jpk.ie/db/Gallery/Produc...omSize_119/Height_Restriction_B_2_800x600.jpg

 

[mumrar]

I beg to differ on the statement that they are not used. Vigo bridge half way up the Lickey bank received the suggested attention and I have a photo of it OVER HERE. It was done in September 2008, as this bridge is also a regular victim to stupidity.

 

[GB]

Is there now a crossbeam on it or are those metal posts purely for extra strength?

 

[michael769]

What is likely to happen to the driver? Will he be charged?

Provided that the bridge had a mandatory height restriction sign (the circular one rather than triangular), and that sign complies with the regulations (not all do) he will be charged with failing to obey the sign (max penalty 6 points and a £1000 fine)

He will also be charged with dangerous driving (max penalty 5 years prison or up to £5,000 fine and a mandatory driving ban), which may be reduced by the CPS to the lesser charge of careless driving (max penalty £2,500 fine, optional driving ban or 6-9 points) in return for a guilty plea. If convicted he is unlikely to get prison time unless someone is injured but a lengthy ban is probably inevitable.

If he is banned, as a commercial vehicle driver he only gets the car bit backfrom the DVLA. To get the truck and or bus bits back he will have to apply to the Traffic Commisioner, and they will only authorise its return if they are happy that he is a fit person to drive a commercial vehicle. If he is not banned by the courts he may still be summoned before the Commissioner to explain his actions and they have the power to revoke his truck and/or Bus entitlements without court action if they are not happy that he is fit to hold one.

If he is not self-employed the Traffic Commissioner may also decide to summon his employer to a hearing to explain what measures they take to reduce the risk of their staff causing bridge strikes.