East Midlands Railway releases list of most bashed bridges

East Midlands Railway (EMR) has urged drivers to make sure they know the height of their vehicles after bridges on its network were hit 54 times last year.

The railway operator said a bridge in Debdale Lane, in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, had been struck 40 times in the past 10 years.

EMR said bridge strikes were a "significant and recurring problem".

Each strike costs the taxpayer about £13,000 on average, EMR added.

The railway operator said the crashes had led to rail delays, as well as disruption for motorists.

EMR has released a list of the 10 most-hit bridges on its network in 2023.

It said Debdale Lane railway bridge was the most hit, averaging one strike every 90 days.

Next was the bridge in Rothwell Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire, followed by Matlock Road, in South Wingfield, Derbyshire, and then Fletton Bridge in Syston, Leicestershire.

In total, bridge strikes led to 3,325 minutes of delays for passengers in 2023.

Michael Webb, joint head of performance at East Midlands Railway, said: "Drivers and rail customers may experience frustration and delayed journeys, but a bridge strike has the potential to cause a train derailment with catastrophic consequences as well as loss of life or serious injury to the vehicle driver, passengers, and other people nearby.

"Those responsible for causing a bridge strike may be liable for costs associated with the incident, including the inspection and repair of the bridge and the cost of train delays, which can be considerable.

"We are urging drivers to understand fully the height of their vehicle and not take any unnecessary risks - especially if they are on roads they are not familiar with."

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].