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Macclesfield line closed!
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Whistler40145
Established Member
Well, he was a bright spark!
Either he didn't notice/read the Sign with it's height or he was a novice driver or new to that route?
Are services being diverted from Kidsgrove to Crewe or Norton Bridge & direct to Crewe?
Either he didn't notice/read the Sign with it's height or he was a novice driver or new to that route?
Are services being diverted from Kidsgrove to Crewe or Norton Bridge & direct to Crewe?
No doubt it will be referred to as a "railway accident" or something similar in the press.
About time some sort of law was introduced whereby the driver is punished for doing something as stupid as that, and the company has to reimburse TOCs for the disruption caused, along with compensation to Network Rail fro the damage. I appreciate that it is human error but at the same time if you are driving a bus/lorry which is tall/wide etc then IMO it is dangerous driving if you don't pay attention to the road signs. One day there will be a big accident where people will be seriously injured and/or killed, no doubt that will be when things change (which is unfortunate).
About time some sort of law was introduced whereby the driver is punished for doing something as stupid as that, and the company has to reimburse TOCs for the disruption caused, along with compensation to Network Rail fro the damage. I appreciate that it is human error but at the same time if you are driving a bus/lorry which is tall/wide etc then IMO it is dangerous driving if you don't pay attention to the road signs. One day there will be a big accident where people will be seriously injured and/or killed, no doubt that will be when things change (which is unfortunate).
It amazes me just how many of these occur, but sometimes it isn't the drivers fault. Recently a bridge near Chepstow was struck and damaged badly by a lorry. The line closed for around 6 hours, but the lorry had been under Police escort at the time.
Ivo
Established Member
What is the bridge limit at Macc?
This is part of the problem with "high-roof" double deckers. Obviously they are higher, and are therefore less likely to squeeze under railway bridges. Here, there is a 13'3" bridge over Lower Oldfield Park, so only single-deck buses are allowed on the route (annoying given it serves the two Universities). On the other hand, the Southend area has plenty of ~14" bridges, including a 13'6" at Hockley, and still Arriva double-deckers (the few that still run in Southend
) can run because they are all so low. So why can't other areas follow the same example? Why do they need to be 14'3"?
For the record, I believe the maximum standard height for a decker is 14'9", and the lowest standard height for a decker is 13'8".
This is part of the problem with "high-roof" double deckers. Obviously they are higher, and are therefore less likely to squeeze under railway bridges. Here, there is a 13'3" bridge over Lower Oldfield Park, so only single-deck buses are allowed on the route (annoying given it serves the two Universities). On the other hand, the Southend area has plenty of ~14" bridges, including a 13'6" at Hockley, and still Arriva double-deckers (the few that still run in Southend
) can run because they are all so low. So why can't other areas follow the same example? Why do they need to be 14'3"?For the record, I believe the maximum standard height for a decker is 14'9", and the lowest standard height for a decker is 13'8".
MCR247
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Wasn't TM Travel was it? 
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/children_injured_as_roof_is_ripped_off_school_bus_1_3180298
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/children_injured_as_roof_is_ripped_off_school_bus_1_3180298
This is precisely what happens.
1) Assuming there is enough evidence, the driver will be prosecuted for (at least) driving without due care and attention
2) Network Rail will go after the driver's insurers, to claim the cost of a) damage to the infrastructure, b) penalty payments to the TOCs for train delays, c) any consequential costs and d) the costs of pursuing the claim. Usually they are successful.
Whistler40145
Established Member
Does Network Rail have any authority over the types of vehicle that can travel under Railway Bridges with regards to the height & width of the vehicle?
Minilad
Established Member
A couple of months ago I was on a Reading train and was cautioned for a bridge bash just south of Fenny Compton. I passed over the bridge at 5mph as instructed and began to power up. I had got up to about 40 and rounded a bend to see a PW man waving like mad at me. I stopped about 15 foot short of a bridge just as a Chiltern 168 also came to a stand. So there we are either side of this bridge. The PW way explained that the bridge had a 4 ton weight limit and a muppet in a 38 ton truck had tried to drive over it and got stuck !!. The police were also there and they told us a list of the offences the driver would be done for, ran to about 6 or 7 as I recall. We sat there for nearly 2 hours while the bridge was examined. We made sure the passengers on board were well aware why we were stuck !!
I am very pleased to hear this. Another advantage of the privatised railway - any private company that suffers loss at the hands of a third party will go after that party for recompense.
No*, this is covered by highway regulations, although the height / width may be spcified by Network Rail.
* Exception is for private road bridges, known as Accommodation bridges. Often there is a legal agreement between Network Rail and the owner of the rights to the private road, and this can specify height and width. For overbridges it can also specify weight limits.
CliveJones
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I saw a picture of a bridge in america and it had a sign a short distance before hand. It was metal and the same clearance with the words "If you hit this sign you WILL hit that bridge".
Not saying its going to stop all the fools, but I wounder if they make a difference (relatively cheap to install I expect)
Not saying its going to stop all the fools, but I wounder if they make a difference (relatively cheap to install I expect)
In some places there are sensors which work I think with an Infra red beam. If the beam is broken, such as by a high sided vehicle, a sign up ahead illumiantes telling them to turn around (has to be placed far enough back to alow something to turn around, which could be a few metres to a few hundred yards away from the bridge).
I think this is only in places where there has been repeated bridge strikes. Certainly trying to install it for every bridge in the UK wouldn't be feasible.
t o m
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There's one of those in Kettering for the bridge near the station, I used to pass it on the school bus, not sure if it's still there though.
On BBC Travel News it says there are 45min delays between Westbury and Bath Spa due to a vehicle hitting a bridge.
syorksdeano
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Ivo
Established Member
More than likely just west of Freshford; the bridge there is about 13". Will try to find out.
Dreadnought
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Not just the privatised railways as this also happened when it was BR.
No TOC penalties to reclaim from the errant driver in those days, though - and in the nationalised industry far more difficult to legally identify direct costs from the incident to go after the driver for.
northwichcat
Veteran Member
Some at Arriva control decided to give the driver a double decker to run a single decker route.
How much blame lies with the driver depends on:
1. Whether the height limit on the bridge is clearly signposted.
2. Whether the height limit is accurate. Cheshire East, like other councils have gone for a cheap approach to repair worn out road by putting new tarmac over the old. This could make a 3.6m bridge become a 3.5m bridge.
How much blame lies with the driver depends on:
1. Whether the height limit on the bridge is clearly signposted.
2. Whether the height limit is accurate. Cheshire East, like other councils have gone for a cheap approach to repair worn out road by putting new tarmac over the old. This could make a 3.6m bridge become a 3.5m bridge.
185
On Moderation
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The Arriva bus came to a halt outside a shop called S&M SUPPLIES 
Roll on the 'topless' jokes :roll:
Roll on the 'topless' jokes :roll:
Whistler40145
Established Member
I can imagine it was like opening a tin of Spam or Corned Beef!
Kingfisher200262
Member
Ironic that an Arriva bus caused all this disruption on the WC, the day after DfT failed to pre-qualify them for the next WC franchise.
bus man
Member
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Apologies if this as been on or ive got the wrong one
DE ROOF – MACCELSFIELD
Ariva 3354
BBC MANCHESTER
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-12868190
MACCLESFIELD EXPRESS (Newspapers)
http://menmedia.co.uk/macclesfieldexpress/news/
DE ROOF – MACCELSFIELD
Ariva 3354
BBC MANCHESTER
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-12868190
MACCLESFIELD EXPRESS (Newspapers)
http://menmedia.co.uk/macclesfieldexpress/news/
Last edited:
323235
Established Member
Whistler40145
Established Member
Why was the Arriva Driver given a Double Decker for a Single Decker route? Was he new to the job or route?
Also, shouldn't the Driver have questioned the type of Bus provided?
Surely, the Depot staff have a list of routes that Double Decker buses were permitted to run on?
Also, shouldn't the Driver have questioned the type of Bus provided?
Surely, the Depot staff have a list of routes that Double Decker buses were permitted to run on?
Dreadnought
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As in BR days it was a regionalised network there would be no TOC penalties!
From my time on the LM region I am sure that the individuals / companies (or their insurance companies) that caused bridge strikes were charged for the cost of the bridge examination, a charge per delay minutes caused and any repairs that were necessary as a result of them striking the bridge.
That was one of the last Leyland Olympians in the area
Well, the sun has been shining recently (even in Macc), and what with global warming and all, there's a growing need for open-top buses!
That Olympian might be around for years yet! Open-top tour of the Peak District, anyone?
northwichcat
Veteran Member
That Olympian might be around for years yet! Open-top tour of the Peak District, anyone?
I won't like to be on the top deck of a bus without a roof on the Macclesfield-Buxton road unless they fitted roller-coaster style harnesses.
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