Yet another bridge strike, this time in Cheltenham on 19 March 2026

[RHC]

The photograph shows a Pulham’s bus damaged as a result of hitting a low bridge in Hyde Lane, on the north side of Cheltenham.

Cheltenham rail delay warning after bus hits bridge

The coach company involved apologises and says it will be investigating the cause of the incident.

www.bbc.co.uk

Rail passengers have been told to expect delays after a bus hit a railway bridge.

Emergency services were called to Hyde Lane in the Swindon Village area of Cheltenham after a Pulhams Coaches bus crashed into the bridge at about 11.45 GMT on Thursday, prompting a two-hour road closure.

Network Rail said engineers were inspecting the bridge to ensure no significant damage was caused, which may lead to "some minor delays to rail services" on Thursday afternoon.

Pulhams, based in Bourton-on-the-Water, said five passengers and the bus driver were onboard when the incident happened but nobody was injured and a full internal investigation into the cause of the crash will be carried out.

 

[stevieinselby]

From what I can see, the bus was running on its normal scheduled route, but for some reason a double-decker was swapped in for one of the usual single deckers mid-morning.

What amazes me is not just that no-one in the depot nor the driver spotted that there was anything wrong with this, but that none of the passengers queried it either – you would think that someone who used the route regularly would have checked with the driver which why they were going...

 

[gazthomas]

Shows you how professional these outfits and staff are

 

[BULLSAREMAGIC]

Shows you how professional these outfits and staff are

I would agree with this. As a former driver with an East Midlands operator where running boards for routes with low bridges were clearly marked as not for double deck operation I find it bizarre. Drivers were briefed about these routes and other hazards. Depot checks pre shift included is the vehicle suitable for the duty. Until wages rise and training improves these incidents will continue

 

[ACBest]

From what I can see, the bus was running on its normal scheduled route, but for some reason a double-decker was swapped in for one of the usual single deckers mid-morning.

What amazes me is not just that no-one in the depot nor the driver spotted that there was anything wrong with this, but that none of the passengers queried it either – you would think that someone who used the route regularly would have checked with the driver which why they were going...

You’d be surprised - on a bad day with a shortage of vehicles, I’ve had to use a double decker on a couple of routes with low bridges in the past, and divert around those bridges accordingly.

On of the routes, the passengers actively refused to get on the bus without assurance that I was going to divert and details of where I’d go - but on the other route, once I’d started diverting, a regular passenger who’d taken a seat upstairs came down and asked me why we were diverting!

 

[3270]

Looks like the same bridge claimed a Swanbrook ALX400 (X303 NNO) back in 2014. Several photos at this link: https://www.alamy.com/cheltenham-gl...2014-picture-showsa-double-image67768351.html
(Link shows pictures of a bus with its roof ripped off after driving under a low railway bridge at Hyde Lane, Cheltenham in 2014.)

 

[Swimbar]

Are they part of Go Ahead?

 

[father_jack]

Are they part of Go Ahead ?

Yes since 2023.

A new chapter for Pulhams - Pulhams Coaches

Pulham & Sons has been proud to serve the Cotswolds community for 143 years. We’re pleased to announce that our company is embarking on a new journey by becoming part of The Go-Ahead Group. Our buses and coaches are familiar in towns and villages across Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and...

www.pulhams.co.uk

A new chapter for Pulhams​

Pulham & Sons has been proud to serve the Cotswolds community for 143 years. We’re pleased to announce that our company is embarking on a new journey by becoming part of The Go-Ahead Group.
Our buses and coaches are familiar in towns and villages across Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire. To take the business to the next level, and to expand our network of services for passengers, the Pulham family has decided that the time is right for Pulham & Sons to become part of a larger organisation.
Go-Ahead intends to invest in our brand, our fleet, our people and our communities. Go-Ahead has an excellent track record of building and supporting local bus companies, and Pulhams will become part of Go-Ahead’s Oxford Bus Company division – with local management who know our part of the country.
We’re committed to the success of the company, and we are staying involved to build a solid foundation for growth under Go-Ahead. We look forward to the future under our company’s new ownership with optimism and enthusiasm.
You can read the full press release here
Pulham & Sons (Coaches) Ltd, are specialists in providing passenger transport solutions throughout the UK, continually reinvesting in the fleet and providing customers with a selection of styles and sizes to meet individual needs and budgets.
With a dedicated, loyal team of professional drivers and operations staff, we have an outstanding reputation with our clients for quality, reliability and excellent customer service.

 

[RHC]

Are they part of Go Ahead?

Swanbrook is now part of Pulhams, which is now part of Go Ahead, under the wing of the Oxford ”group”.