A railway bridge near Hinckley, Leicestershire, known as Britain's "most bashed bridge," was struck by two lorries on consecutive days, leading to road closures and delays. The first incident occurred at 5:52 a.m. on Sunday, causing the A5 Watling Street to be closed. The second collision took place Monday afternoon, prompting another closure and further disruption.
Leicestershire Police reported the collisions, which forced drivers to seek alternative routes. Rail services experienced delays of up to 16 minutes following the second incident. Network Rail confirmed that the bridge itself sustained no damage, but emphasized that "bridge strikes remain one of the biggest causes of disruption on the railway."
The bridge, which has a height limit of 4.6 meters (15 feet), is frequently hit by lorries that exceed this limit, with some vehicles measuring up to 4.95 meters (16.2 feet). Footage from Monday's collision showed debris from the lorry's roof scattered across the road after being ripped off by the structure.
Last year, Network Rail identified this bridge as the most frequently struck in Britain, with 22 incidents recorded between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. Each bridge strike can cost approximately £13,000, contributing to an estimated annual cost of £23 million for taxpayers across the UK, according to Network Rail figures.
Plans to lower the road beneath the bridge, which would provide more clearance for tall vehicles, have been stalled. A developer, Mountpark, had agreed to lower the road by 51 centimeters (1.67 feet) as part of planning permission granted in June 2023 for a nearby logistics park. However, Network Rail had not approved the proposal as of July, more than three years after the initial planning permission was granted.
Drivers have taken to social media platforms to discuss the frequent collisions, with some blaming satellite navigation systems for directing them onto routes with low bridges. Others questioned drivers' attention to signage and their responsibility to verify vehicle dimensions. Network Rail urges drivers to "Wise Up, Size Up" by checking their vehicle's height, planning their routes meticulously, and adhering to warning signs.
Nationally, Network Rail reported 1,666 bridge strikes in the past year, a 9% increase from the previous year. Despite driver complaints about navigation systems, rail authorities maintain that drivers are responsible for knowing the dimensions of their vehicles and avoiding such incidents.