Readers’ Platform
STAR LETTER
Bridge bash woes
READING the article on bridge bashes in the October issue, I was reminded that when I worked in the then Railway Inspectorate of the Ministry of Transport 40 years ago, this subject came up quite often.
I wondered back then if, just before each low bridge, something could be built over the roadway to enable scaffolding poles, steel balls or concrete blocks on chains to be dangled at the same height above the road as the low bridge was. Then any over-height vehicle would receive a noisy warning to alert a driver who has forgotten the height of their vehicle. A good idea they said, but I see we are still waiting for something like that to be installed!
Edward Dawes By email
AS a former bridge inspector for 25 years, my work involved being on call for bridge bashing incidents. I have attended countless strikes over the years, some quite horrific. Having been retired now for 10 years, it still makes my blood boil to read this still goes on so frequently. It just need not happen, it is pure negligence solely on the driver.
All bridges under 16ft 6ins have height signs, the driver legally should know the height of his vehicle. There is literally no excuse whatsoever. The driver should be instantly dismissed from his employment with court action. Employers must prove they have documented and instilled this in their drivers on a regular basis.
Peter Atkins Yarwell, Peterborough
OVER the past few years I have written several letters to various publications on this subject, with no response. Why on earth in the 21st century are lorries hitting low structures throughout the UK?
With current research into taking more control of vehicles away from the driver (including driverless trucks), surely it is obvious that accurate sensors need to be fitted to new and existing trucks, lorries and buses warning of a low structure ahead. If the height of the vehicle does not fit under the bridge, the sensor would activate the brakes or turn off the ignition.
A cruder alternative would be to place a collapsible copy of the bridge’s outline several metres preceding the bridge to give some indication to the driver of the problem. This latter alternative has apparently been tried and found to be effective.
With strikes costing Network Rail £20 million per year, plus the cost to the logistics industry, this needs to be urgently looked at, not to mention the danger to life and limb with double decker buses.
John Deards Warminster
GOING to work in late September, I arrived at Ewell station to find a driver had driven his tractor and trailer under the bridge. The tractor was fine, but the trailer looked in a sorry state.
This is inexcusable, the driver should be charged with dangerous driving as they have demonstrated they are unfit to drive what is a deadly weapon. Having once been a driver in the Army, I know you plan your routes and study it like the driver of a train. What is needed is a laser device that monitors the road ahead that gives a warning and if ignored applies the brakes so the vehicle stops before it hits the bridge.