Lorry almost scrapes bridge as warning vid is being filmed

A LORRY struggled to squeeze under a low railway bridge - while a training video for HGV drivers about bridge strikes was being recorded just yards away.

The long vehicle was carrying piles of wooden crates along Rugby Road towards Hinckley when it had to slow down to a snail’s pace as it carefully passed under the bridge.

Bakery chain Greggs was making a training video for its lorry drivers nearby at the same time, to warn of the dangers of scraping low bridges.

The bridge is a short walk from the Greggs branch in the retail park opposite the Hansom Cab pub.

A lorry crashed into the bridge in February, closing the road in both directions and forcing train services to be suspended for two hours.

Officers from Highways England and Leicestershire Police were interviewed for the Greggs tutorial video.

A police spokesperson: “Bridge strikes are something that not only can cause terrible damage but can cause serious injury, too. Bridge strikes often cause traffic chaos and the overall cost to the public purse can be considerable when we have to send a number of officers to manage the scene, never mind the impact to the railway network.

The crew had an unexpected demonstration of the perils of the route, as a lorry carrying piles of crates struggled to pass under the bridge on June 17.

Marie Biddulph, assistant regional safety co-ordinator at Highways England, was interviewed for the clip. “We are happy to talk to all road users and particularly HGV drivers about the importance of knowing the height of your vehicle and planning your route in advance – follow the road signs, not just the sat nav”, she said. “As well as the risk of injury to the drivers and others, bridge strikes also cause disruption to the network.

“Drivers who hit bridges cost us up to £2.6 million per strike.”

A nearby low bridge over the A5, near Dodwells island, was last year named the most-bashed bridge in Britain, after it was hit on average once a fortnight. Plans are in the pipeline to improve the A5 bridge by lowering the road.