Media centre

Monday 19 Jan 2015

Collision protection beams to be installed on railway bridge in Stoke

Region & Route:

Network Rail is to install collision protection beams on a railway bridge on Stoke Road to reduce the risk of damage if the bridge is hit by vehicles.

The bridge has a history of incidents where drivers have failed to observe the height restriction and driven their vehicle into the structure.

While damage is often minimal, the beams will provide additional protection to the bridge, reducing the risk of structural damage and potential disruption to rail services.

To install the beams Stoke Road will be closed to traffic from 8am on Sunday 1 February until 4.30pm on Wednesday 11 March and work will take place between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

There will be overnight work on Saturday 21 February from 10pm until 6am on Sunday 22 February, and again between the same hours the following weekend (28 and 29 February).

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “These beams will provide protection to a bridge which has a history of being struck by vehicles whose drivers do not observe the height restriction warning signs that are clearly visible on the structure and on the approach to it.

“We have tried to balance disruption to traffic and disturbance to our neighbours by carrying out the majority of the work during the day in the safest and quickest possible way. There are two weekends where overnight work is essential and we will be writing to neighbours to alert them to this.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of this essential work which is necessary to protect the structure as part of our commitment to provide a safe and reliable railway.”

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times apart from the overnight work on 21 and 28 February. A diversion has been agreed with the local authority and will be clearly signposted.

For further information contact Network Rail’s national helpline on 08457 114141.