Post by Dave on Sept 25, 2013 14:40:51 GMT
While this not a Torbay topic as such, there is no other place suitable to put this post. Low bridges are always a problem for lorry and van drivers and I’m sure there are many such drivers who do not have a clue, just how high the vehicle is they are driving. Some vehicles will have a sign up in the cab so the driver will know, but that is not the case in most vans.
I have lost count of the number of vans that have got stuck under the railway bridge on Quay Road Newton Abbot. Many that have got stuck would have got through in one piece had they stuck to the middle of the road. The problem is it is two way under the bridge and it’s a natural reaction to move over to the left hand side of the road when another car starts to enter the tunnel.
Those that know this railway bridge will be well aware that when two cars or vans meet in the middle, one has to stop in a slightly wider part of the road to let the car pass.
I remember as a young boy growing up in Newton Abbot often walking under this bridge and it was good fun as when you shouted out something, the echo under there was brilliant.
The Tookfix building in on the estate side of this bridge and we have lost count of the large artic Lorries that have gone past the entrance of out yard heading for the bridge. There is no sign warning any drivers that around two bends you will come across a very low bridge.
They soon find out and then have the very difficult job of trying to reverse back around those two tight bends, I have know such an operation to take over half an hour when the driver has found it a very difficult task.
Today’s van driver got most of the way under the bridge but made the big mistake of moving over to far to the left when he saw an approaching car. Try as hard as he could, he could not free the van and very soon the police turned up and closed off the road at both ends.
As is always the case, trains get stopped while the bridge is checked over for any damage; it’s very unlikely the bridge suffered any damage at all, but these days due to health and safety etc, its always a few hours before the all clear is given.
I have lost count of the number of vans that have got stuck under the railway bridge on Quay Road Newton Abbot. Many that have got stuck would have got through in one piece had they stuck to the middle of the road. The problem is it is two way under the bridge and it’s a natural reaction to move over to the left hand side of the road when another car starts to enter the tunnel.
Those that know this railway bridge will be well aware that when two cars or vans meet in the middle, one has to stop in a slightly wider part of the road to let the car pass.
I remember as a young boy growing up in Newton Abbot often walking under this bridge and it was good fun as when you shouted out something, the echo under there was brilliant.
The Tookfix building in on the estate side of this bridge and we have lost count of the large artic Lorries that have gone past the entrance of out yard heading for the bridge. There is no sign warning any drivers that around two bends you will come across a very low bridge.
They soon find out and then have the very difficult job of trying to reverse back around those two tight bends, I have know such an operation to take over half an hour when the driver has found it a very difficult task.
Today’s van driver got most of the way under the bridge but made the big mistake of moving over to far to the left when he saw an approaching car. Try as hard as he could, he could not free the van and very soon the police turned up and closed off the road at both ends.
As is always the case, trains get stopped while the bridge is checked over for any damage; it’s very unlikely the bridge suffered any damage at all, but these days due to health and safety etc, its always a few hours before the all clear is given.