Bridge Strike - Glasgow Cook Street 14 Dec 2024

[Bill57p9]

BBC are reporting a double decker bus bridge strike in Cook Street, Glasgow
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyk3pyp7yno

A double decker bus has crashed into a railway bridge with its roof tearing off in Glasgow city centre.
The 4A First Bus became wedged under the bridge on Cook Street at the junction with Commerce Street at about 18:00.
Police and ambulance crews are on the scene. Firefighters were also sent but are now leaving the area.
Spike Turner, a passenger who was third from the front of the bus, said the driver had taken a wrong turn and crashed "straight into the bridge".
The street is one-way and the bridge, near the O2 Academy is located shortly after a turn - though is clearly marked for vehicles under 3.8 metres (12.5 ft).

IMAGE SOURCE, PAUL ENGLISH
Image caption,
The bus became wedged under the railway bridge after travelling in the wrong direction
Mr Turner said: "I was fine, the lady in front of me might have been concussed. The bridge itself wasn't high enough to hit anyone's heads but parts of the bus exterior have swung down.
"The man in the front seat was in a really, really bad state. He's got a lot of blood and a massive gash on his head."
The extent of injuries are not yet clear.
ScotRail has closed a number of lines due to the crash.
A spokesperson said train services between Glasgow Central and Ardrossan Harbour, Ayr, Largs, Gourock, Wemyss Bay and Paisley Canal will be cancelled, delayed or revised.

 

[Peter0124]

I see some trains (2G55 19:38 Glasgow to Gourock) are being diverted via Larkfield Junction reversing by Polmadie Depot

 

[Ianigsy]

Smack in the Gorbals - looks like a wrong turning.

 

[richw]

37218 is the bus involved.

It’s also wider than the width restriction too

 

[GordonT]

Lines now reopened.

 

[Bill57p9]

Another bus ripped it's roof clean off on the same bridge in May 2023.

 

[alxndr]

Last time this happened there were bus diversions, hence the wrong turn being taken. I can't see any diversions that would affect the Tradeston area at the moment on the First bus website, so it seems strange that a bus would attempt to go down there in the first place (and then also miss all the signs and width restrictions).

 

[Retorus]

Not again!

 

[AndyPJG]

Updated report - one person 'critical'

BBC News

Eight people have been injured, including one person in critical condition, after a double-decker bus crashed into a railway bridge in Glasgow city centre.
Part of the roof of the 4A First Bus was torn off, with the vehicle wedged under the bridge on Cook Street at the junction with Commerce Street.
Five people were taken by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment after the crash at about 18:00 GMT on Saturday, while three others were assessed at the scene and attended hospital.
Spike Turner, a passenger who was third from the front of the bus, said the driver had taken a wrong turn and crashed "straight into the bridge".
A number of roads are closed in the area.

Thoughts with all involved.

 

[och aye]

Smack in the Gorbals - looks like a wrong turning.

Back in the 1980s that would be quite a common thing to happen to someone that took a wrong turn into the Gorbals from the locals!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Dec 2024 ==

Not again!

Indeed!

 

[jagardner1984]

It is interesting it seems to be more often Buses than HGVs, I suppose the relative proximity to Caledonia depot and the huge churn of drivers (almost permanently recruiting it seems) may have something to do with that.

It does seem strange there isn’t something done with a beam sensor and a big flashing light / tubular foam thing that objects would hit first before the sharp edge of the I beam of the bridge - you’d think the delay minutes / yet another hefty claim on First’s insurance would make this financially sensible almost immediately.

 

[Carntyne]

It is interesting it seems to be more often Buses than HGVs, I suppose the relative proximity to Caledonia depot and the huge churn of drivers (almost permanently recruiting it seems) may have something to do with that.

It does seem strange there isn’t something done with a beam sensor and a big flashing light / tubular foam thing that objects would hit first before the sharp edge of the I beam of the bridge - you’d think the delay minutes / yet another hefty claim on First’s insurance would make this financially sensible almost immediately.

Doubt you could make the bridge restrictions any more clear, between the signage and the physical changes to the road. If they can't notice that then they shouldn't be driving.

 

[philthetube]

It is interesting it seems to be more often Buses than HGVs, I suppose the relative proximity to Caledonia depot and the huge churn of drivers (almost permanently recruiting it seems) may have something to do with that.

It does seem strange there isn’t something done with a beam sensor and a big flashing light / tubular foam thing that objects would hit first before the sharp edge of the I beam of the bridge - you’d think the delay minutes / yet another hefty claim on First’s insurance would make this financially sensible almost immediately.

I accept that this is a generalisation but:-

Bus drivers tent to stick to certain routes and so are not used to looking out for obstructions when off route for whatever reason

Lorry drivers tend to cover bigger areas and are not always using the same roads.

Also a bus hitting a bridge will almost always make it to the press, not so with a lotty.

 

[PyrahnaRanger]

I accept that this is a generalisation but:-

Bus drivers tent to stick to certain routes and so are not used to looking out for obstructions when off route for whatever reason

Lorry drivers tend to cover bigger areas and are not always using the same roads.

Also a bus hitting a bridge will almost always make it to the press, not so with a lotty.

Although stage carriage drivers do tend to stick to one route, I’d hope they would be reasonably alert to height/width restrictions, more so if they deviate from their planned route, but all it takes is a change of vehicle and…

There is a tale from my local operator dating back to when Leyland Olympians replaced Bristol VRs: the first driver due on a route refused to take the new bus as it wouldn’t fit under a bridge. The Traffic Manager (who didn’t have a PSV) insisted it would. Other drivers insisted it wouldn’t, but the TM wouldn’t back down, so driver and Olympian went off, and it later became one of the first open topped buses through the lakes…

 

[Snow1964]

Doubt you could make the bridge restrictions any more clear, between the signage and the physical changes to the road. If they can't notice that then they shouldn't be driving.

There are two large height restriction signs, and a width restriction sign. The driver ignored all 3

Have to question why there is no warning alarms in the bus cab to prevent this. If cars can react to road signs, then why can't a similar system apply to buses in Glasgow

 

[Carntyne]

There are two large height restriction signs, and a width restriction sign. The driver ignored all 3

Have to question why there is no warning alarms in the bus cab to prevent this. If cars can react to road signs, then why can't a similar system apply to buses in Glasgow

There is a system like that in the bus cab.

 

[Snow1964]

There is a system like that in the bus cab.

Was it working, how regularly are they tested ?

No point fitting a system if it can be ignored or isolated when in passenger service

 

[Taunton]

If they can't notice that then they shouldn't be driving.

That's a poor approach to safety. Happens once, you can maybe consider it. Happens multiple times, and I remember this bridge being struck by buses more than once back in the 1970s, and doubtless since, and it points to the need for an engineering solution. One hopes there isn't some turf war between the railway and Glasgow council over who might pay for it.

An advance frame with bells hanging down to height, or similar, that makes a considerable noise, is surely needed here. There are a range of such around. This simplistic one hung from a convenient overhead sign guards lane 2 of the road Blackwall Tunnel:

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[christopher]

Was it working, how regularly are they tested ?

No point fitting a system if it can be ignored or isolated when in passenger service

I know from my area of First that the system is part of the ticket machine so as long as the vehicle has one fitted it will work.

 

[alxndr]

That's a poor approach to safety. Happens once, you can maybe consider it. Happens multiple times, and I remember this bridge being struck by buses more than once back in the 1970s, and doubtless since, and it points to the need for an engineering solution. One hopes there isn't some turf war between the railway and Glasgow council over who might pay for it.

An advance frame with bells hanging down to height, or similar, that makes a considerable noise, is surely needed here. There are a range of such around. This simplistic one hung from a convenient overhead sign guards lane 2 of the road Blackwall Tunnel:

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

www.google.com

You would think they could add this to the bridge carrying the WCML over Cook Street with minimal effort. Busses could still approach from Salkeld Street but it would rule out one of the potential approaches.

 

[richw]

It is interesting it seems to be more often Buses than HGVs

Statistically it’s more HGVs but they aren’t as newsworthy so don’t get past local reporting

 

[Bill57p9]

Looking at Street view, the fixed warning signs are not subtle however there do also appear to be signs to illuminate in conjunction with a height detector.
I also note that the WCML bridge has a higher clearance (4.8m) than the bridge for the Inverclyde & Ayrshire lines (3.8m).

 

[TUC]

I accept that this is a generalisation but:-

Bus drivers tent to stick to certain routes and so are not used to looking out for obstructions when off route for whatever reason

Surely common sense dictates that its when you're off-route there's the most reason to look out for obstructions?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Dec 2024 ==

Statistically it’s more HGVs but they aren’t as newsworthy so don’t get past local reporting

Isn't it more that with HGVs fewer people, aside from the driver, are likely to be injured?

 

[Falcon1200]

I also note that the WCML bridge has a higher clearance (4.8m) than the bridge for the Inverclyde & Ayrshire lines (3.8m).

The lower bridge at Cook Street is struck on a regular basis, and when Glasgow Central Signalling Centre was still in operation it was often the staff there who became aware of a strike first from hearing the bang! The bridge is, or was in my day, classed Green, meaning it was so robust that trains ran normally after a strike, unless the vehicle was on fire or persons were trapped; The latter presumably being why the line was blocked last night.

Given that the bridge is within walking distance of the First Bus depot, one would think drivers would be told never to take a double decker there.

 

[Buzby]

Having been aware of this bridge for over 60 years, J can easily recall over 15 strikes (not all double deckers) but there are two things to remember, travelling north up Eglinton Street all traffic is made to turn left under the WCML at Nelson Street. Since the height of this route can accommodate a DDB, it is easy to assume that Cook Street is exactly the same - when it isn’t. Also, if mistakenly turning early, the bridge cannot be seen until the turn is complete and as the distance is so short, there is no escape possible.

Yes, there is a warning road sign showing the Cook Street restriction and Nelson Street (A8) route but it’s a lot of information to process. The bus was a 4A travelling from Eaglesham to Jordanhill. The driver was on route (not diverted) and turned left 30 metres before he should have.

 

[Acfb]

I know someone who lives in Netherlee and takes this route, as well as the 6 but I wasn't sure of the exact route south of the river. Given this keeps happening, shouldn't they close off Cook Street to vehicles all together perhaps or at least make it one way in the other direction?

 

[alxndr]

By my count, since 2004 that bridge has been hit by:

38 HGVs, 24 unspecified vehicles, 6 busses, 1 bus on a recovery truck, and 1 caravan.

The collision rate seems to have fallen in 2014 and looking back at google streetview shows the width restriction was installed in 2015, which makes sense as it feels tight now.

Also, if mistakenly turning early, the bridge cannot be seen until the turn is complete and as the distance is so short, there is no escape possible.

Surely you slam the anchors on and go up Salkeld Street, reversing back to do so if necessary? More likely they’ve made it under the WCML bridge and assume they’ll be able to sneak under the second bridge too.

 

[Buzby]

shouldn't they close off Cook Street to vehicles all together perhaps or at least make it one way in the other direction?

They already closed off West Street at the Ayrshire lines overbridge which was an alternative route, and Cook Street is needed for access to Scotland Street & Kingston Bridge (Clyde Expressway only) - it would be better to raise the headroom than lose the road!

 

[QueensCurve]

That's a poor approach to safety. Happens once, you can maybe consider it. Happens multiple times, and I remember this bridge being struck by buses more than once back in the 1970s, and doubtless since, and it points to the need for an engineering solution. One hopes there isn't some turf war between the railway and Glasgow council over who might pay for it.

I know from my area of First that the system is part of the ticket machine so as long as the vehicle has one fitted it will work.

I woudl have thought some sort of GPS geofencincg would be possible since many buses are tracked that way in any case.

The lower bridge at Cook Street is struck on a regular basis, and when Glasgow Central Signalling Centre was still in operation it was often the staff there who became aware of a strike first from hearing the bang! The bridge is, or was in my day, classed Green, meaning it was so robust that trains ran normally after a strike, unless the vehicle was on fire or persons were trapped; The latter presumably being why the line was blocked last night.

Could that still be the case as there seems to have been very little disruption to train services on the day.

 

[richw]

I know from my area of First that the system is part of the ticket machine so as long as the vehicle has one fitted it will work.

I woudl have thought some sort of GPS geofencincg would be possible since many buses are tracked that way in any case.


Could that still be the case as there seems to have been very little disruption to train services on the day.

Bridges that are close to the route tend to have a very short geofence to avoid it going off on the actual route. If it goes off policy requires them to stop and call control for authority to continue.