'Britain's most bashed' bridge hit twice in two days

A railway bridge named as the most bashed in Britain has been struck by a lorry for the second time in two days.

Leicestershire Police said that at 05:52 BST on Sunday, the A5 Watling Street near Hinckley in Leicestershire was closed after a lorry crashed into the bridge.

Then on Monday afternoon, the force said the same road was shut due to a "road traffic collision" with a bridge, and officers asked people to find alternative routes.

A Network Rail spokesperson said no damage to the structure was found, but added "bridge strikes remain one of the biggest causes of disruption on the railway".

A road under a railway bridge. There is debris under the bridge and two emergency service workers. To the left there is a lorry with its roof damaged.Hinckley town centre

Last year the bridge was given the dubious honour by Network Rail as the most bashed in Britain, after it was was struck 22 times between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

There are plans to lower the road under the bridge, however it was announced last month that this scheme had been delayed again.

A road under a railway bridge is in the distance and at the front of the photograph is a lorry on the road with a damaged roof. There is debris and cones under the bridge. Hinckley town centre

The Network Rail spokesperson added: "A lorry struck the railway bridge on Watling Street, Hinckley, at 13:48 today.

"The bridge was examined within 30 minutes of the incident and no damage was found, allowing train services to continue operating safely. The incident caused a total of 16 minutes of delay to rail services.

"Bridge strikes remain one of the biggest causes of disruption on the railway.

"We continue to urge drivers to Wise Up, Size Up by knowing the height of their vehicle, planning their route carefully and always obeying road signs and warning systems at low bridges."

A road with a railway bridge over the top. A lorry is parked underneath the bridge and three people wearing hi-vi jackets are on the road and cones can be seen too.  Hinckley town centre

Get in touch

Tell us which stories we should cover in Leicester

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

Related internet links

Original source 'Britain's most bashed' bridge hit twice in two days

Back to home