'Stupid' drivers to blame for repeated Nottinghamshire village bridge crashes, residents say

Residents living near a Nottinghamshire bridge that has been struck by at least eight lorries in the last four years have blamed the issue on "stupid" drivers. The railway bridge above the A606 Melton Road in Tollerton has been repeatedly crashed into over the years, most recently on November 3.

The structure was also hit by a lorry on two occasions in January, as well as in November 2023, April 2023, October 2022, August 2020, January 2020 and November 2018. The major route near the A52 Wheatcroft Island is often closed while recovery workers unjam the vehicles, leading to heavy delays.

“It’s time something is done," said Ian Tomlinson, who lives just down the road and is becoming increasingly frustrated by the crashes. “Companies should be sued for having drivers stupid enough not to be aware of it.

“Over the last two years there seems to have been more. It happens all the time." The 76-year-old, who moved into his home 30 years ago, said the crashes sounded "like gun shots" and would often lead to problems with traffic.

"It’s not just the crashes but the near-misses. Lorries drive up and have to move back and it causes traffic chaos.

“Very often you can’t get out and go into town without taking a detour." Several signs, including height restriction notices and an LED warning sign, are in place around the bridge, which is painted with black and bright yellow zig-zags.

Ashley Varghese, who lives a few doors along, feared little more can be done to solve the problem. “You can’t move the bridge and you can’t restrict vehicles going down this road," said the 36-year-old. “What can you do about it? I think it’s long-distance drivers or those who come from other countries.

"They don’t realise or don’t see the signs, it could be a lack of sleep. Maybe there could be more signs close to the bridge. The main issue is when they close the road, especially when it’s time for the school run."

Another resident, a 57-year-old woman who did not wish to be named, said: "It comes down to lorry drivers, they should know the height of their own vehicle. To be honest if [the bridge] was taken away it would mean bigger lorries which I don't really want.

"They should put more communication in before they reach the bridge." Another woman, who has lived near the bridge for 23 years, added: “I don’t think you’ll ever stop it happening. It’s lorry drivers that don’t know the height of their lorries.

"Some go right up to the bridge, realise they can’t get through and go back."