Campaign launched to end costly bridge strikes

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Britain’s infrastructure manager, Network Rail, has launched a campaign to tackle the rising number – and rising cost – of collisions between lorries and railway bridges.

The number of bridge strikes was at its highest level for five years in 2017 and Network Rail estimates a total annual cost of more than £23 million.

Through its new campaign ‘Lorries Can’t Limbo’, Network Rail hopes to educate HGV drivers about the risk posed by low bridges.

There are around 2,000 bridge strikes reported every year. These incidents often result in delays and closures while the bridge is inspected for damage.

Mark Wheel, senior engineer at Network Rail, said: “Day to day, HGV drivers and decision-makers have to address different demands or distractions. We know that bridge strikes are a pertinent issue for a majority of drivers and decision-makers.

“However, there are many other challenges which often appear more immediate. Bridge strikes are not always ‘front and centre’ and drivers often need to be challenged to consider them, especially outside the confines of their regular depots or destinations.

“We have worked across the industry to develop a campaign together with our partners, using their knowledge and expertise about their audience. Rather than alienate drivers the campaign aims to be collaborative.

“We want to work with drivers and support them to help them be as prepared when they are out on the road, and we wanted to develop something that the industry could continue to use and will be of benefit to them. We hope this collaborative approach will help to drive down the number of strikes we see across the rail network.”


Read more: Transport for West Midlands tender for up to 50 battery-powered trams


 

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