A heavy goods vehicle struck the low railway bridge that carries the Birmingham to Peterborough line over the A5 at Watling Street, Hinckley on Tuesday morning, forcing the temporary closure of both the road and the rail route while engineers carried out safety inspections.
Train services and road reopened after safety checks
Emergency services were called to the scene at about 09:30 BST. The freight vehicle was removed and Network Rail, together with Leicestershire Police and British Transport Police, completed inspections of the bridge and the track before trains were able to run again at about 12:20.
The bridge is already the subject of major engineering works: contractors began lowering the road beneath the structure in May, a project scheduled to continue until Summer 2027. Network Rail said the recent strike was the 26th incident at this location since March 2025, underlining the frequency with which vehicles collide with the structure.
Network Rail response and accountability
A Network Rail spokesperson emphasised the avoidable nature of many bridge strikes and the wider consequences for passengers and taxpayers. They said Network Rail intends to seek recovery of repair and delay costs from the lorry's driver and operator.
"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 spokesperson added that operators and drivers should plan routes carefully, be aware of their vehicles' heights and heed advance signage warning of low bridges.
Local impact and practical information
For commuters on the Birmingham–Peterborough corridor and road users on the A5, even short closures can cascade into significant delays. The repeated strikes have prompted an engineering solution — lowering the carriageway — but the work will take months to complete and continues to present a challenge for high vehicles until finished.
- Incident time: around 09:30 BST
- Line reopened: about 12:20 BST
- Number of strikes at this bridge since March 2025: 26
- Current engineering works due to complete: Summer 2027
Motorists using routes through Hinckley are advised to check diversion and route-planning information in advance and to ensure vehicles comply with posted height restrictions. Rail passengers should consult their operator for service updates if travelling on the affected line.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Watling Street bridge (A5), Hinckley |
| Impact | Road and Birmingham–Peterborough rail line closed temporarily |
| Strike count since Mar 2025 | 26 |
| Road-lowering works | Underway; expected completion Summer 2027 |
As the carriageway-lowering project continues, the repeated nature of these collisions raises questions about route planning and industry compliance with vehicle height regulations. With repair and delay costs potentially recoverable from drivers and operators, there may be increased scrutiny on haulage practices passing through Leicestershire in coming months.
Further updates will follow if operators or the police release more details about the incident and any enforcement action.
