This bridge, just to the east of Swindon station, used to be the most bashed bridge on the network. It has dropped down the list in recent years but was again the scene of an incident this week when a lorry - whose driver admitted using a sat-nav - came to grief
From
Swindon Advertiser
IT was a case of a bridge too low for one lorry driver after his vehicle became wedged under an infamous town centre bridge.
The lorry stuck fast under the Whitehouse Bridge yesterday afternoon, forcing drivers to find an alternative route into the town centre.
Police were called to the scene at about 12.10pm and closed the road while they helped to free the vehicle.
A police spokesman said the bridge had not been severely damaged and the driver had to make contact with his employer telling him of the issue ^ just three days into his current job.
The driver who was left red-faced was travelling from Frome and said that he had not seen signs about the height of the bridge.
He said: ^I was following the sat nav and did not see the signs.
^I would definitely say that there need to be clearer signs leading up to the bridge.
^There was not much of an impact because I wasn^t going fast enough but I went under just enough to get the reflector stuck.
^There is no damage to the bridge or the cab.
^The engineer has said that someone else did it just a couple of weeks ago.^
Network Rail were informed of the incident but there was no disruption to the trains and no damage to the bridge, which has become infamous for catching out drivers.
A council spokesman said: ^There are ordinary warning signs on the approach, and there are flashing vehicle-activated warning signs.
^Then there is the bridge itself, which apart from looking extremely low is painted yellow, and has a band of reflective chevrons attached.
^There is also a sign on the side showing its height, accompanied by the words ^Low Bridge^ in huge letters. We^re struggling to think of anything else we can realistically do.^
This road was cleared by 2pm and the driver was given a penalty notice by police.
I am not sure I agree about the lack of signage cited by the driver. I went and had a look for myself this morning.
As the council spokesman said "what else can you do!"
