HGV strikes Hay Bridge, near Bridgnorth on SVR

[GWR9600]

Severn Valley Railway bosses are facing a bill of up to £30,000 after a lorry crashed into a bridge near Bridgnorth, causing major disruption to the line.

Now bosses are appealing for help to track down the lorry driver, who left the scene before railway staff or police got there.

Marketing manager at the Severn Valley Railway, John Leach, said the incident at Haye Bridge on the B4555 at Chelmarsh caused huge problems for the railway.

Services were suspended at Hampton Loade following the incident at 1pm on Monday until yesterday morning, costing thousands of pounds in lost revenue.

Mr Leach said: “The bridge was hit with considerable force so the driver clearly did not know the height of the vehicle.

“To leave a bridge in the state it was, when anything could have fallen on to passers by at any time, was highly irresponsible.”

Emergency repairs were carried out and the railway was back running as normal yesterday.

Mr Leach said buses were put on to ferry 150 passengers past the damaged bridge on Monday afternoon and all day on Tuesday.

He added the overall cost of the incident, including the cost of repairs, would amount to about £30,000.

The incident was reported to the police and anyone with information is asked to contact Bridgnorth police on 08457 444888.

It is believed the vehicle would have been a lorry carrying a crane or a JCB.

Yellow metal was left behind and police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who knows the driver to come forward.

Mr Leach said they were particularly interested in speaking to a member of the public who told them about the crash on Monday.

Bloody stupid HGV driver.

[Shed Cat]

Can't SVR claim on insurance for that?

A genuine question. I really dont know whether the larger lines might have fully comp insurance, or whether it would be just too expensive.

[GWR9600]

I hope sobut unless they find the cuplrit it might have to come out of their own pockets.