Neighbours’ frustration at second railway bridge lorry crash in four months

The crash just before 6am today (September 24) saw an articulated lorry for Maersk – a Danish shipping company – hit the bridge on Greatbridge Road in Romsey[1], causing it to capsize under the railway line. Police shut the road between Dutton Road and Fishlake Meadows while recovery vehicles began the painstaking process of clearing it. READ MORE: Live updates as Greatbridge Road closed due to crash[2]

The scene of the crash (Image: Supplied) Drivers were forced to take a detour during rush hour before the road was reopened just before midday. No-one was injured. David Bullock, 60, of Botley Road, said he had spent the morning dropping his car off at Greatbridge Services for an MOT.

He said: “To go two miles is really difficult when the bridge goes. “They normally hit the bridge by The Sun [Inn pub]. When a lorry hits it, there’s a load of gridlock.”

David Bullock, 60, of Botley Road (Image: Newsquest) He said the problem had been getting worse in the time he had lived in the town. “I have been here for about three years, and I think we have had four or five lorries hit the bridge and several who have got to the bridge and reversed because they saw they couldn’t get through,” he said. “The lorries seem to be getting bigger, the bridge wasn’t designed for them.”

Police shut off Greatbridge Road in Romsey (Image: Newsquest)People living down Greatbridge Road reacted with frustration after the latest crash – which came just months after a lorry wedged itself under the bridge on May 2[3]. Craig Lobb, 35, said: “It’s predictable. I don’t know how many times over the years but it happens every few months.

“It’s frustrating as they painted the big beams yellow to make it noticeable. It is frustrating. I don’t see it changing to be honest.”

Tricia Bellis (Image: Newsquest) Tricia Bellis, 87, added: “When [the council] were talking about the bridge last time, they said they had done everything they could to stop this from happening. But they haven’t. “I didn’t hear a thing.

But I suppose we’re so used to it we didn’t notice it.” The incident on May 2 happened at around 4.15pm, causing traffic chaos. No-one was injured in that crash either.

The scene of the crash on September 24 (Image: Newsquest)

References

1. ^ Romsey (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Live updates as Greatbridge Road closed due to crash (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
3. ^ lorry wedged itself under the bridge on May 2 (www.dailyecho.co.uk)