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Lorry 'moves railway tracks' in Rutland bridge crash

Stapleford Railway Damage caused to bridge in North LuffenhamStapleford Railway
Nigel Spencer said damage to the 13ft (3.9m) bridge looked "pretty severe"

A railway bridge in Rutland is expected to take several days to repair after it was struck by a lorry.

Leicestershire Police said they were called to a report of a crash at Foster's Bridge on the A6121 in North Luffenham at 07:40 GMT.

They said the driver was taken to hospital and the road had been closed.

Network Rail said engineers were working to reopen the bridge but warned there would be disruption to some upcoming services.

Rutland County Council said the lorry was transporting containers to and from one of its waste and recycling centres when it hit the bridge.

It said the driver was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Nigel Spencer, from the Leicestershire and Rutland 4x4 Response, has been to the scene and said: "The skip has been knocked right off damaging the truck cab."

He said damage to the 13ft (3.9m) bridge also looked "pretty severe".

Network Rail Damage caused to bridge in North LuffenhamNetwork Rail
Rutland County Council said it would be reviewing the incident with its waste contractor

Network Rail said it had not caused any rail disruption yet because a planned strike meant services had already been cancelled.

However, East Midland Railway was due to divert services between Norwich and Nottingham along this route on Sunday because of engineering work elsewhere.

As a result, it has released an amended timetable.

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It is also a route usually used for CrossCountry services between Stansted in Essex and Birmingham New Street.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "Our engineers are assessing the damage but it is going to take several days to repair as the impact has moved the tracks as well as damaging the structure."

Network Rail Damage caused to railway line in North LuffenhamNetwork Rail
Network Rail said the damage would take several days to repair

Rutland County Council said it was working with Network Rail to assess the damage to the bridge.

It said the A6121 was likely to remain closed for several days between Ketton and South Luffenham.

Cottesmore Household Waste and Recycling Centre would also be closed on Sunday due to the loss of a collection vehicle.

The authority said: "Rutland County Council will be reviewing the incident with its waste contractor, Biffa."

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