Skip to content

Heritage rail line suspended after lorry hits bridge

Tess de la MareWest of England
News imageTorquil Buist A red lorry stuck beneath a railway bridge. An orange digger has fallen from one side of the vehicle and is leaning against an embankment. a group of men in high-vis jackets stand in front of the vehicles. Torquil Buist
The digger fell from the trailer and is obstructing the road

Journeys on a heritage railway have been suspended after a digger being carried on an articulated lorry struck a bridge.

Avon and Somerset Police said the digger tipped over and continues to obstruct the B3224 near Bishops Lydeard after the incident just after 10:00 BST. There are no reported injuries.

West Somerset Railway (WSR), which runs between the area and the coastal town of Minehead, has paused operations on a stretch of the line while the bridge is assessed for structural damage.

Drivers are being asked to avoid the area, while the railway said it would be running a shortened service between Minehead and Crowcombe Heathfield stations.

News imageTorquil Buist A shot taken from the window of a vintage train. Passengers can be seen hanging out of the window. People in high-vis jackets stand on the tracks. A red lorry can be seen down an embankment.Torquil Buist
Trains can't cross the bridge until a structural assessment is completed

Maintenance work to the bridge was only undertaken last month.

"Officers are in attendance to assist with road closures which are currently in place," police added.

More from Somerset

WSR said a service had left Bishops Lydeard at about 10:15 when they were made aware of the bridge strike by a member of the public.

"As a precaution, we immediately suspended services whilst the bridge was assessed," it said.

"Whilst the bridge is still under assessment, no services will be able to run over the bridge which is located between Bishops Lydeard and Crowcombe Heathfield," it added.

It also said people who had booked a meal on the train would be served on a stationary train at Bishops Lydeard.

"We thank you in advance for your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience caused," it added.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.