Lorry crashed into bridge on south circular in Tulse Hill
A lorry crashed into a bridge by Tulse Hill station causing traffic and disruption along the south circular and railways.
Commuters were left furious as the lorry wedged itself under the low bridge during rush hour on Tuesday morning.
The bridge on Thurlow Park Road is used by trains and each one that goes through Tulse Hill was cancelled.
One commuter said on Twitter: “Thanks Mr Lorry driver for messing up all the trains going through Tulse Hill – I mean there’s enough warning!”
Sarah, a resident who lives in a nearby street, said: “We heard a massive bang and knew immediately what it was, my son thought it would be fun to run down in our PJs and see what happened because it sounded like a bad one.
“We got there about two minutes later and loads of stuff had come off the top of the lorry and the driver was getting abuse from all the drivers.
“There was some kind of liquid coming off the top of the container which was coming off the back of the lorry. He must have been driving at some speed because the container was coming right off the back.
“There’s been pretty much one [collision] every week for the last three weeks. It used to be the most hist bridge in the country. This one is the worst one this year.”
A Network Rail spokesman said: “At 07:50 this morning, we were informed a lorry had struck a railway bridge at Thurlow Park Road. For safety reasons, we were unable to run trains over the bridge but after assessing the railway, speed restrictions are in place while the lorry is removed.
“Bridge strikes are completely avoidable, and they cause disruption to rail passengers and road users. We can’t stress enough how important it is that drivers know the height and width of their vehicle and pay close attention to warning signs.
“Last year, we launched a campaign aimed at drivers of high-sided vehicles urging them to “wise up and size up” their vehicle and plan their route before they head out on their journey.”
The Metropolitan police tweeted:
#EmergencyServices at #ThurlowParkRoad at the scene of lorry v Railway Bridge. Extensive closures in place while the scene is cleared/made safe. Please avoid this area #Dulwich #SouthCircular as severe delays are expected. No injuries.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 12, 2019
A spokesman for Govia Thameslink Railway said: “A container lorry struck the railway bridge over Thurlow Park Road at about 7.45am. The lorry’s container became detached, and emergency services attended.
“Rail lines were closed while Network Rail conducted a safety inspection. Services have now resumed, with trains subject to a speed limit, and we are aiming to resume normal service by around midday.
“In the meantime, Thameslink and Southern tickets can be used on certain London Underground, London Buses and Tramlink routes.”
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There is a warning sign 150 YARDS before the bridge, It lights up every time I drive past OVERHEIGHT VEHICLE DIVERT LOW BRIDGE AHEAD- even though I drive an ordinary Vauxhall Astra with a ladder on the roofrack! Surely it would make sense to have some hanging metal poles like there are before the entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel?
One of those clouts the top of your lorry- an emergency Warning STOP light comes on and siren sounds.
Much cheaper than having emergency services called out and road/rail traffic disruption.
AND SURELY THESE DRIVERS SHOULD BE PROSECUTED.
Brian