West Somerset Railway General Discussion

A regular 'target' in my area is the bridge over the B3108 just to the north of the former Limpley Stoke station - usually about one strike a month!

Ironically I drove under it this morning and noticed the first height restriction road sign as you approached the bridge from the Bath direction is well and truly hidden in the hedge!! It's only when you turn the corner just before the bridge that you actually see the bridge and the height sign on the bridge girders only a few yards ahead :-(

 

The GWSR got so tired of drivers striking the Broadway bridge that they gave up and implemented the Hitchhiker's Guide heavy metal beam solution. ("Mr. Prosser: Do you know how much damage this bulldozer would sustain if I just let it roll over you? ... None at all.") It collects about one vehicle a month.

Noel

 

Unsurprisingly, the bridge was damaged. It has been examined and is now safe for trains to pass over. [BJ]

 

For those of us who choose to use maps, this is an increasing problem - road signs buried in the overgrowth. I suppose when a council faces budget cuts, keeping signs clear goes in the bin - perhaps thinking "well, everybody's got satnav now, haven't they?"

 

Satnav is often a contributory cause of bridge strikes, when drivers rely on it instead of planning their routes. There is a long discussion on railforums.co.uk following the recent strike near Bedworth on the WCML.