How much does it cost to raise a railway bridge?
Discussion
gothatway said:
eccles said:
Simpo Two said:
As we have the 'tech' to identify numberplates and faces instantly in this CCTV/tech-ridden country, and connect cameras to drivers's addresses, it would not be beyond the wit of man to devise a system that checks the height of a lorry 100 yards before the bridge and, if it is too high, sets some lights to flash red.
Many bridges have radar that set lights and warning signs flashing if the vehicle is too high, yet they still carry on and hit the bridge!Here's another
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-mancheste...
AW111 said:
RobM77 said:
I’ve often wondered why they can’t just have bright red lights on low bridges and a sensor, or a gantry with a switch for the lights 50 metres from the bridge. The reason I’ve often wondered this is I work near a low bridge and we have a lorry drive straight into it about once every two or three months. They usually end up lent over at 45 degrees, totally jammed. It’s going to just keep happening. The cost of repairs over the years must be immense, and when we have horrendous injuries like happened the other day, surely something should be done? People are going to keep making mistakes.
There are bridges with such a warning system.People still drive past the red lights and hit the bridge.
A new school bus run goes under a low bridge, so they took the trouble to take the bus out and check the real clearance.
Cue the first trip and the screams from the top deck as the bus approached and passed under it.
Could they run a different bus type on the service one day?
Frank7 said:
Steve_D said:
One of the kids onboard said they realised the driver was not on their normal route. It also seems this may have been first day back to school.
So, quite likely new driver and possibly does not normally drive a double decker.
Steve
I KNOW that you’re not excusing the driver Steve, but as I mentioned before, a double decker will usually have a height notice in the driver’s compartment, e.g., if it says “this bus is 4.4 metres high”, and there’s a sign just before the bridge, saying this bridge has a clearance of 4.1 metres, then you don’t proceed.So, quite likely new driver and possibly does not normally drive a double decker.
Steve
I’m guessing that a lot of drivers either just don’t look at any height notice in their cab, or see the bridge, and nonchalantly think, “meh, I can get under that.”
Reminds me of those 'Drive on the Left' signs at Croughton American Air base. Theyve placed them on the left side of the road, What's the point of that?
A list of low bridge winners
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershi...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershi...
beeb said:
1. Watling Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire - struck 25 times
2. Bromford Road, Dudley, West Midlands - struck 24 times
3. St John's Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire - struck 23 times
4. Stuntney Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire - struck 19 times
5. Abbey Farm, Thetford, Norfolk - struck 16 times
6. Thurlow Park Road, Tulse Hill, London - struck 14 times
7= Carlisle Road, Cleland, North Lanarkshire - struck 13 times
7= Harlaxton Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire - struck 13 times
7= Stonea Road, Stonea, Cambridgeshire - struck 13 times
10= Coddenham Road, Needham Market, Suffolk - struck 11 times
10= Lower Downs Road, Wimbledon, London - struck 11 times
2. Bromford Road, Dudley, West Midlands - struck 24 times
3. St John's Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire - struck 23 times
4. Stuntney Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire - struck 19 times
5. Abbey Farm, Thetford, Norfolk - struck 16 times
6. Thurlow Park Road, Tulse Hill, London - struck 14 times
7= Carlisle Road, Cleland, North Lanarkshire - struck 13 times
7= Harlaxton Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire - struck 13 times
7= Stonea Road, Stonea, Cambridgeshire - struck 13 times
10= Coddenham Road, Needham Market, Suffolk - struck 11 times
10= Lower Downs Road, Wimbledon, London - struck 11 times
Assuming the Hinkley one is top of the list for replacement - how did this get priority?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestersh...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-5478...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestersh...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-5478...
bristolracer said:
eldar said:
saaby93 said:
Assuming the Hinkley one is top of the list for replacement - how did this get priority?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestersh...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-5478...
Buses, it would appear.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestersh...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-5478...
Yes there will be a bus lane, but the carriageway desperately needed widening.
The development of 7000 houses, a new arena and industrial estates on the old runway a stones throw away from here, its connection to Bristol Parkway station probably make it one of the more sensible projects in the mess that is public transport in and around Bristol
https://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/18889882.netw...
Gaps around the bridge have been filled with blocks and stone
MrBig said:
Britain's "most hit" bridge continues it's run of strong form this morning. Usual resultant traffic carnage.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershi...
'five railway bridge crashes per day nationally, with repairs costing an average of £13,000 per strike.'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershi...
£65,000 per day £24m per year
What could you do with £24m?
eccles said:
MrBig said:
Britain's "most hit" bridge continues it's run of strong form this morning. Usual resultant traffic carnage.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershi...
The joint number 10 bridge at Needham Market has recently had work done to it to protect it from strikes.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershi...
They've bolted huge steel beams in front of the bridge so they get hit first..... but in doing so have lowered the clearance by about 8 inches leading to more strikes from vehicles that could previously fit under it! It also means that the local fire engine can't now fit under it and has to go miles around!
thebraketester said:
mikebradford said:
I'd have though buses could have a parking type sensor mounted at high level. This could give an audible warning. Surely relatively cost effective.
Alternatively, just read the sign that tells you how high the bridge is? 
Going back to the thread topic and the sums involved for dealing with bridge strikes, surely there are cases where a replacement bridge or road lowering would be cost effective?
aeropilot said:
saaby93 said:
thebraketester said:
mikebradford said:
I'd have though buses could have a parking type sensor mounted at high level. This could give an audible warning. Surely relatively cost effective.
Alternatively, just read the sign that tells you how high the bridge is? Going back to the thread topic and the sums involved for dealing with bridge strikes, surely there are cases where a replacement bridge or road lowering would be cost effective?
saaby93 said:
MrBig said:
Britain's "most hit" bridge continues it's run of strong form this morning. Usual resultant traffic carnage.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershi...
'five railway bridge crashes per day nationally, with repairs costing an average of £13,000 per strike.'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershi...
£65,000 per day £24m per year
What could you do with £24m?
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