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Trains suspended after lorry hits bridge

Network Rail A blue lorry lies on its side on a road underneath a bridge labelled "LOW BRIDGE". Its rear door has opened and pallets and boxes can be seen inside.Network Rail
A lorry collided with a bridge in Erdington on Friday morning

Some West Midlands Railway services were suspended on Friday after a lorry hit a bridge over Summer Road in Erdington and ended up on its side.

Cross City Line services between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley were affected.

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 10:30 GMT and the road was closed.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the driver was treated for minor injuries and discharged at the scene.

National Rail said some disruption, including cancellations and delays, were likely until the afternoon.

It said alternative provision was being put in place to allow people to complete their journeys, and advised passengers to check before they travel using its journey planner.

Birmingham New Street A lorry lies on its side on a road underneath a bridge labelled "LOW BRIDGE". People wearing hi-vis clothing and helmets are inspecting the vehicle and the path on which they are standing has been cordoned off.Birmingham New Street
Services were disrupted as rail and emergency services worked to make sure the bridge was safe

Network Rail said: "Bridge strike incidents can cause death or serious injury to road and rail users and have a serious impact on the operation of the railway, and road traffic.

"After every incident the bridge needs to be examined to make sure it's safe and any debris needs to be cleared."

It said that between 2000 and 2021, there was an average of nearly 2,000 bridge strikes each year.

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