A huge chunk of a railway bridge crashed onto a road in Bedworth on Thursday after a tall lorry collided with the structure, sparking travel chaos for passengers heading into the weekend.
The bridge, on the West Coast Main Line between Nuneaton and Rugby, was severely damaged in the crash. No injuries were reported, but services were immediately halted, forcing trains to divert via Birmingham and causing delays at London Euston.
“A railway bridge collapsed on the West Coast Main Line after a lorry crash, causing travel disruption until midday Friday.”
Network Rail teams have since reopened the lines, but trains must operate at reduced speed — meaning cancellations or delays of up to 10 minutes are expected until at least midday on Friday.
“This collision has caused significant damage to the bridge and our teams are working hard to understand the extent,” said Martin Ball, Network Rail’s infrastructure director for the West Coast South route. “There will be ongoing disruption to train services through this area while we assess the bridge.”
Affected services include Avanti West Coast trains between Glasgow Central, Blackpool North, Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston, as well as London Northwestern Railway services between Crewe, Rugby, Northampton and London Euston. Lumo trains running between Stirling and London Euston have also been impacted.
National Rail warned that vehicle bridge strikes can be “very dangerous and disruptive” but are avoidable. “Drivers should know the height and size of their vehicles — including any loads they are carrying — and carefully plan their routes so that infrastructure isn’t put at risk in this way,” the organisation said in a statement.
Passengers are being urged to check before travelling and allow extra time. Services along the route may start or terminate on either side of Nuneaton or Rugby, or will not run the full journey. Where possible, trains will divert via Birmingham.
Ball added: “We are working closely with our partners to keep passengers on the move wherever possible but anyone travelling should check on train operator websites or the National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.”