Bridge strikes at Stoke

[notadriver]

The cost could run into thousands which no small haulier could afford so I don't think they pay all of it. I think trucks should be fitted with overheight detectors which warn the driver and apply the brakes preventing this from happening in the first place.

 

[Zoidberg]

The cost could run into thousands which no small haulier could afford so I don't they pay all of it. I think trucks should be fitted with overheight detectors which warn the driver and apply the brakes preventing this from happening in the first place.

But would it not be the muppet's insurance company which would be liable?

I've seen the approaches to low bridges where height warning sensors have been implemented, but I wonder if the technology is mature enough to be fitted to vehicles. And applying the brakes ... hmm, not so sure about that.

 

[notadriver]

But would it not be the muppet's insurance company which would be liable?

I've seen the approaches to low bridges where height warning sensors have been implemented, but I wonder if the technology is mature enough to be fitted to vehicles. And applying the brakes ... hmm, not so sure about that.

Many commercial vehicles have tracking devices, gps and cameras. I reckon it wouldn't take much to have a device which knows the location of known bridges to - if not apply the brakes then to sound an alarm a bit like the ones you hear with parking sensors ?

 

[thenorthern]

The bridge itself has massive writing on it stating that its a low bridge but it does serve as the main route into Hanley from the D-link road which is why many drivers take that route.

 

[edwin_m]

If they don't already, Network Rail should pick a case where there is no doubt the haulier is to blame, then take them through the courts for everything they can get. And make sure it is well reported especially in the road haulage trade press and whatever insurers read. The only way this is going to reduce is if the people concerned are hit in the pocket.

 

[thenorthern]

The road is still closed, I am about 100m away from the bridge and many people are delayed by a long time because of diversions.

 

[Trainfan344]

I shall grab my camera and take a walk down to the station.

 

[Oswyntail]

The road is still closed, I am about 100m away from the bridge and many people are delayed by a long time because of diversions.

I wonder how many of them are thinking the railways should get their act together.

 

[Trainfan344]

I took a walk down to the bridge, road was still closed with scaffolding up either side of the road, then took a walk back to the station and everything was using it's normal platform, albeit with a 20mph speed restriction to the north of the station.

 

[thenorthern]

From what I saw the Virgin and the CrossCountry Trains were delayed by 1 or 2 mins because of the speed restrictions.

 

[GearJammer]

Many commercial vehicles have tracking devices, gps and cameras. I reckon it wouldn't take much to have a device which knows the location of known bridges to - if not apply the brakes then to sound an alarm a bit like the ones you hear with parking sensors ?

Whos gonna pay for that to be fitted to all the trucks then? :roll:

 

[Darren R]

The railways of course!

 

[notadriver]

Trucking firms will have to pay for it in the same way they have to fund mandatory fitment of digital tachographs and speed limiters.

 

[edwin_m]

I'd be surprised if satnavs intended for HGV use didn't already include locations of low bridges. BR was encouraging truckers' road atlases to include bridge heights as far back as the 80s.

 

[Trainfan344]

I'd be surprised if satnavs intended for HGV use didn't already include locations of low bridges. BR was encouraging truckers' road atlases to include bridge heights as far back as the 80s.

I believe they do.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Top Gear fans might also recognise this bridge as the one James May ended up stuck at after taking the wrong turning in his Herald-based yacht.

Yes it was the same bridge that James May struck. I remember the episode well. The broadcast footage was edited for dramatic effect - like the one with the queen storming out of a meeting when in reality she was coming into the room!

The route taken by the trio, on their way to a well deserved dunking at Rudyard Lake, did not require a trip under that bridge, it also appeared in the programme long AFTER James had been shown much closer to his final desination and he was heading in completely the wrong direction. Perhaps someone just thought - oh that would look good on TV pretending we've hit a low railway bridge.

A bit like the episode with the caravan on the Great Central Railway.

That's TV for you. Be entertained but never believe it as fact!

 

[GearJammer]

Trucking firms will have to pay for it in the same way they have to fund mandatory fitment of digital tachographs and speed limiters.

Well the cost of that should put a fair few haulage companies out of buisness and put a shed load of people on the dole que... well done.

I find it amusing how people think transport companies have a bottomless pit of cash to fund all these stupid ideas.

 

[edwin_m]

Well the cost of that should put a fair few haulage companies out of buisness and put a shed load of people on the dole que... well done.

I find it amusing how people think transport companies have a bottomless pit of cash to fund all these stupid ideas.

The saving in accident costs (or in reduced insurance premiums to pay for same) ought to outweigh a modest cost for extra equipment to prevent bridge strikes, and a serious bridge strike could potentially wipe out a small haulage firm. It has already been mentioned that low bridge warnings could be (and probably are) easily included in satnavs at very little extra cost.

Responsible hauliers ought to welcome a sensible regulation which forces some of the cowboys to up their game and be less able to undercut those who play by the rules. The goods still has to be moved so there will still be about the same number of people employed doing so. Costs of road haulage may increase a little but the costs that badly run companies impose on the rest of society will reduce.