NO IMMEDIATE improvements will be made to prevent lorries from colliding with a bridge in Romsey. 

On Thursday last week a lorry collided with the railway bridge in Greatbridge Road, just before 11am, causing heavy delays in both directions. 

Residents described the noise as an “awful screeching and banging” when the lorry stuck the bridge. 

Police confirmed that no one was injured and the road remained closed for a number of hours while teams worked to remove the lorry.

Now Hampshire County Council has said that no changes will be made to prevent collisions and that it is the driver’s responsibility to avoid the bridge.

Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, executive member for Highway Operations said: “While it is obviously regrettable that there has been another incident at this bridge, we are confident that the warning signs that are already in place in advance of the structure are more than adequate. 

“We will continue to work with our partner agencies, of course, to do all that we can to minimise the risk of these incidents happening but, ultimately, it is the responsibility of the driver to be aware of the vehicle’s height and take note of the warning signs that are in place.”

This is not the first time that the bridge has been hit. In 2019 the Advertiser reported there had been 22 crashes since 2004 which now brings the tally to around 25 after Network Rail confirmed a further three incidents this year at the same spot.

Network Rail previously said drivers must take better care.

A Network Rail spokesperson has now said: “The strike at Greatbridge Road in Romsey on 28 October caused considerable delays for both rail and road travellers and we’re sorry to say we’re seeing more and more of these incidents happening across the network.

“We’ve done a lot of work with our transport partners to tackle the problem - through education, engineering, enablement and enforcement - but more can and needs to be done. 

“Network Rail looks to recover the entire cost of such incidents from operators and drivers and we would urge drivers to check the height of their vehicle before they leave and plan their routes properly.”