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Thursday 12 Nov 2020

Kent HGV and bus drivers asked to 'Wise Up Size Up' county's railway bridges

Region & Route:

Southern: Kent

| Southern

Bridges in Kent are being hit by high vehicles more than twice a week so Network Rail are reminding drivers to know the height of their vehicle before they set off or face tough penalties.

HGV and bus drivers in Kent are being asked to 'Wise Up, Size Up' as railway bridges in the county were hit 131 times last year leading to nearly 11 days of delays for passengers. 

Although the figures are an improvement on the previous year when there were 137 bridge strikes, one incident at Elmstead Wood was one of the most severe in the whole UK network, costing the infrastructure provider £200,000 in compensation to train operating companies for cancelling services and repairs. 

Nationally, almost six out of ten (59%) of the incidents are caused by HGV drivers, and Network Rail is reminding drivers they can face tough penalties including removing a person’s public service vehicle (PSV) licence.

Bridges in Kent which have been struck over the past year as well as Elmstead Wood include Edenbridge, Elmers End, Lower Sydenham, Chatham, Strood, Folkestone West, West Malling, Walmer and Canterbury. 

Automatic camera alert systems have been installed on 6 bridges in Kent to monitor them for movement, as with some  bridge strikes not reported, it is imperative to make sure the bridges remain safe.

Fiona Taylor, Network Rail's Route Director for Kent, said: “There is no excuse to not know the height of your vehicle before starting your journey.

“As well as putting lives in danger on both road and rail and causing lengthy delays for passengers and road users, drivers who chance it at bridges are at risk of leaving their employers with a hefty bill for repairs and train delay costs, along with a strong threat to their own operator licence.”

Hideo Takano, Senior Structures Advisor at Highways England said: “Although bridge strikes are comparatively low for our roads, as part of the collective drive to reduce bridge strikes happening we work with other transport authorities as part of the Bridge Strike Prevention Group and welcome Network Rail’s new campaign. 

“Bridges strikes can cause hours of disruption around two-thirds of bridge strikes on our roads are caused by vehicles carrying a load. So, to reduce the risk of this happening we urge all drivers to follow these simple steps; know your height, plan your route and secure your load.”

Nationally, almost six out of ten (59%) of the incidents are caused by HGV drivers, and Network Rail is reminding drivers they could face tougher penalties including removing a person’s public service vehicle (PSV) licence.

To try and combat the number of bridge strikes, adverts are being placed at motorway service station petrol pumps across the country reminding drivers to “Wise Up, Size Up” as “Lorries Can’t Limbo” and drivers should know their vehicle height before they start their journey and to check their route for low bridges.