'Most bashed bridge' hit by lorry again

A road and railway line were closed after a lorry struck a bridge once dubbed "Britain's most bashed".

At about 09:30 BST on Tuesday, emergency services were called to Watling Street in Hinckley, Leicestershire, where an HGV had struck the bridge that carries the Birmingham to Peterborough line over the A5.

Network Rail said Leicestershire Police and British Transport Police attended the scene, and once the vehicle was removed and inspections completed to the bridge and track, the line reopened at about 12:20.

The incident is the 26th time that a vehicle has hit the bridge since March 2025, said Network Rail, which said it remained one of the country's most frequently struck.

Plans have been drawn up to lower the road under the bridge with work set to start this summer.

Network Rail said such collisions as Tuesday's were avoidable and it would look to recover repair and delay costs from the driver and operator of the lorry.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "Every time a vehicle hits a bridge, it can cause serious safety issues for road and rail users.

"They can also delay tens of thousands of passengers while we inspect the bridge and repair any damage. This impacts public funds which should be used upgrading and improving our railway network.

"The bridge strikes in Hinckley can be avoided. We urge operators and drivers to properly plan their routes, know the height of their vehicles and look out for road signs showing the height of oncoming bridges."

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