Lorry hits bridge sparking train chaos across the Midlands
Drivers and train passengers faced delays after a lorry ploughed into a rail bridge, ripping its trailer in half.
Services on the Cross City rail line between Lichfield and Redditch were disrupted yesterday morning after the 'bridge strike' in Blake Street, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield.
London Midland, which runs services on the line, told passengers to expect delays as engineers checked the bridge for damage.
The lorry smashed into the crossing, which is marked as a low bridge, at about 7.30am. The truck's trailer was torn in two by the force of the impact.
Birmingham New Street tweeted: "Due to a vehicle striking a bridge at Butlers Lane, services are affected on @LondonMidland.
Trains may be altered, delayed or cancelled." Trains were running as normal shortly after 10am after the bridge was deemed safe by engineers.
Motorists were also affected by the smash as the A4026 Blake Street in Four Oaks was closed between Lichfield Road and Little Aston Lane while work to remove the lorry and check the bridge took place.
The driver of the lorry was not hurt.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: "Although our bridges are strong, when an incident like this occurs they need to be safety checked before they can be fully reopened.
"For safety reasons, after the collision trains were only allowed to cross the bridge at 5mph. This caused knock-on delays and cancellations.
Known as 'bridge strikes', incidents like this continue to be a significant risk to railway safety."
