Trains will be unable to leave Cornwall until at least the weekend after a lorry became wedged under a railway bridge in Plymouth, Network Rail has said.
Services to and from the county were cancelled after the Tesco lorry hit the bridge in Mannamead, Plymouth, at 3.30pm yesterday, damaging the stonework. Removing the lorry took 24 hours.
Network Rail said that a few slower-moving trains would start going into Cornwall today but none would be able to leave eastbound.
Great Western Railway has advised people to rethink plans to travel into Cornwall, tweeting: “We are advising to only travel if you need to, as trains and bus replacements are expected to be busy.”
Tesco has apologised for the incident and ordered an investigation.
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The line was closed between Totnes and Plymouth because of safety concerns, and trains from London to Plymouth or Penzance terminated at Exeter St David’s.
Replacement bus services have been running between Plymouth, Exeter and Tiverton Parkway.
Dean Shaw, of Network Rail, said: “We expect disruption through until the weekend. The lorry was stuck there for 24 hours but fortunately the damage wasn’t made any worse when it was taken out.”
Keith Fletcher, who lives close to the bridge, told the BBC: “The lorry has actually lifted the stonework about three inches up. Really, this is the most damage I’ve seen and I’ve lived here for about 20 years.”
Tesco said: “A heavy goods vehicle operated by one of our logistics partners struck a railway bridge at Ashford Hill, Plymouth, which has caused the bridge’s closure. We are very sorry for the problems this has caused for travellers and we are investigating how this has happened.”
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Network Rail urged lorry drivers and haulage companies to take greater care. Some five railway bridges are hit by lorries every day, delaying thousands of passengers across the country. The annual bill is about £20 million.
Mike Gallop, Network Rail’s western route director, said: “This is happening far too often where thousands of passengers have their plans ruined by careless driving.
“We are urging all lorry drivers and haulage companies to take better care, look out for the height warnings on all of our bridges and take a second to think before taking a risk and causing disruption to so many people’s lives.
“Those delays are compounded by the huge bill which is often picked up by the taxpayer.”
Network Rail works with organisations including Highways England, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and haulage companies to tackle the problem.
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Network Rail’s 4E’s initiative - education, engineering, enablement and enforcement - aims to ensure haulage companies and their drivers are provided with the knowledge and tools they need to avoid striking bridges.