Britain’s most-bashed bridge is in Hinckley

Can you guess which bridge it is?

Network Rail has revealed its list of most hit bridges this year.

Topping the charts is the A5 Watling Street in Hinckley.

It was hit 22 times in the year.

Close behind are Harlaxton Road in Grantham, struck 18 times, and Stuntney Road in Ely, struck 15 times.

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.”