Not again! Van strikes bridge in Ely and loses roof

A van lost its roof after the driver misjudged the height of a railway bridge in Ely.

The bridge near the station, which is frequently hit, was struck on Thursday (28 March).

Writing on the Policing East Cambridgeshire Facebook page, Camrbidgeshire Constabulary reported: “Another bridge strike!

“The driver of this van misjudged the height of the railway bridge and ended up losing his roof! Thankfully no damage to the bridge or the individual.”

The Station Road bridge was named the fifth most bashed in Britain by Network Rail in 2022, following 12 strikes in a year - despite the big “Very low bridge” signs, warning of its 9ft (2.7m) height.

Cambridgeshire also has the ignominious record of being home to the country’s most bashed bridge.

That ‘honour’ goes to the B0198 Stonea Road bridge near Manea, which stands just 2m (gft 6in) tall and was struck an astonishing 33 times in the year ending March 2022 according to Network Rail, leading to £10,526 in unnecessary train delay and cancellation costs.