Harlaxton Road bridge in Grantham has earned an unenviable title: the country’s second most-struck railway bridge. The news underscores why Network Rail has chosen this location for a cutting-edge trial aimed at reducing delays and costs caused by collisions.
New figures show the scale of the problem. The bridge, which carries the East Coast Main Line over a busy six-road junction, was hit 18 times in 2024/25 – up from 14 strikes the previous year. Only Watling Street bridge on the A5 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, fared worse, with 22 strikes. Another Grantham hotspot, Barrowby Road, sits at number eight with 11 incidents.
Nationally, the picture is stark: 1,666 reported bridge strikes by lorries and other high-sided vehicles in the year to 31 March – that’s one every five hours. These collisions caused 186,384 minutes of delays – more than 120 days – and cost Britain’s rail industry around £12 million in delays and cancellations.
Technology to the Rescue
Earlier this year, Network Rail secured £50,000 in funding and partnered with risk-management specialists BES Group to trial a pioneering remote monitoring system at Harlaxton Road bridge. Despite existing safety measures – prominent signage, chevrons and protective beams – the bridge remains a frequent target.
Before the end of December, cameras and sensors will be installed to dramatically speed up safety checks after a strike. The three-month trial will assess whether the system meets Network Rail’s requirements.
The technology provides real-time alerts using cameras and impact sensors, capturing data and video footage instantly after a collision. Engineers can then assess the bridge remotely within seconds, reducing disruption for passengers and improving safety for staff who would otherwise need to inspect the structure on track.
Richard Woodford, Network Rail asset engineer, explained:
“Bridge strikes cost the British rail industry millions of pounds a year in delays, cancellations and repairs. Harlaxton Road already has prominent signage, so this trial using technology aims to cut inspection times after a strike from hours to seconds in many cases.
This means trains can run again much sooner, boosting the reliability of the railway and potentially saving hundreds of thousands of pounds in this one location alone.”
Haulage Industry Urged to ‘Wise Up, Size Up’
With the busy Christmas delivery period underway, Network Rail is urging haulage operators and drivers to check vehicle heights and plan routes carefully to avoid low bridges.
The organisation works closely with industry partners to tackle bridge strikes, and its team of bridge strike champions continues to visit haulage companies across Britain to raise awareness and promote safer route planning.
Martin Frobisher, Network Rail’s group safety and engineering director, said:
“With the busiest delivery period of the year under way, we’re reminding all drivers and operators to Wise up, Size Up – ensure they know their vehicle heights before they set off, plan their routes carefully, and watch for low bridge signs. A few moments of vigilance can prevent serious delays and keep everyone moving safely this festive season.”
National Highways is also reinforcing the message. Hideo Takano, senior structures advisor, added:
“Bridge strikes can cause hours of disruption and pose serious safety risks. We understand how frustrating these delays are for road users, which is why we work alongside other transport authorities through the Bridge Strike Prevention Group to reduce the number of incidents.
Two-thirds of strikes on our bridges involve vehicles carrying loads on open trailers. To help prevent them, we urge drivers to take three simple steps: know your vehicle height, plan your route and make sure your load is secure.”
Image credits: Network Rail
