Network Rail has released figures that show bridge strikes by high sided vehicles and other vehicles caused over 120 days (186,384 minutes) of delays for rail passengers last year.
The infrastructure manager revealed that from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 there were 1,666 reported bridge strikes (one every five hours), which cost Britain’s rail industry around £12m in delays and cancellations.
Now, with the busy Christmas delivery period underway, Network Rail is urging haulage operators and their drivers to ‘Wise Up, Size Up’ by checking vehicle heights and planning suitable routes to avoid low bridges.
Network Rail said it already worked closely with industry partners to address the problem of bridge strikes, and its team of bridge strike champions continues to visit haulage companies across Britain to raise awareness and promote safer route planning.
The most-struck bridge in Britain this year is Watling Street A5 in Hinckley, which has been hit 22 times. Close behind are Harlaxton Road in Grantham, struck 18 times, and Stuntney Road in Ely, struck 15 times. Network Rail called these strikes “costly and avoidable incidents that ripple across the rail network.”
Trialling new technology to cut delays
To tackle the problem, Network Rail has partnered with risk-management specialists BES Group to trial a pioneering remote monitoring system at Harlaxton Road bridge in Grantham, one of Britain’s most frequently struck structures, carrying the East Coast Main Line above a junction of six roads.
It said that despite prominent warning signs, chevrons and protective beams, the bridge was struck 18 times between 2024 and 2025 and three times in a single week last November. One of those incidents alone caused £423,000 worth of damage and 59 hours of delays to rail passengers.
Network Rail hopes the trial will reduce the delays and costs caused by bridge strikes. The remote monitoring system provides real-time alerts using cameras and impact-sensing technology that captures data and video footage instantly after a collision. This allows engineers to assess the bridge within seconds, reducing disruption for passengers and improving safety for staff who would otherwise need to inspect the structure on track.
Martin Frobisher, Network Rail’s Group Safety and Engineering Director, said: “Every bridge strike endangers lives, disrupts rail services, and delays tens of thousands of passengers while we inspect and repair the damage to the bridges. Each incident also costs millions of pounds that could instead be spent improving the network.
“With the busiest delivery period of the year underway, we’re reminding all drivers and operators to Wise up, Size Up – ensure they know their vehicle heights before they set off, plan their routes carefully, and watch for low bridge signs. A few moments of vigilance can prevent serious delays and keep everyone moving safely this festive season.”
Hideo Takano, Senior Structures Advisor at National Highways, said: “Bridge strikes can cause hours of disruption and pose serious safety risks. We understand how frustrating these delays are for road users, which is why we work alongside other transport authorities through the Bridge Strike Prevention Group to reduce the number of incidents.
“Two-thirds of strikes on our bridges involve vehicles carrying loads on open trailers. To help prevent them, we urge drivers to take three simple steps: know your vehicle height, plan your route, and make sure your load is secure.”
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