Fourth crash into Birmingham railway bridge in one month

After the bridge was hit by three lorries in less than a week earlier this month, once on 3 January and twice on 7 January, Network Rail urged lorry drivers to "wise up, size up" to avoid similar incidents in future.

This includes knowing the height of vehicles, properly planning routes and not relying on sat-navs or apps to be up-to-date for bridges and height restrictions.

Speaking after the previous three crashes, Martin Colmey, operations director for Network Rail's central route, said: "There is no excuse for driving a lorry into a railway bridge.

"Our bridges are clearly marked, and lorry drivers should always know the height restrictions of their vehicles.

"To ignore both and bash a bridge, causing disruption to passengers and road users, is unforgivable.

"We are looking into what might have caused this recent spate of bridge bashes but I plead with all drivers to know their vehicle restrictions and if in doubt about whether they can fit under a bridge to always use an alternative route."