A double-decker bus struck a railway bridge in Chelmsford on Wednesday evening, causing significant disruption to rail and road traffic before it was safely removed.
The incident happened at around 17:30 BST on Duke Street, where the bus became wedged under a railway bridge that forms part of the Great Eastern Main Line between London and Norwich.
The collision blocked a designated bus gate – a road section exclusively for buses – and forced temporary closures until the vehicle was recovered at 18:45.
Network Rail confirmed that trains in and out of Chelmsford were delayed while teams inspected the bridge. Normal services resumed by 18:56 after structural checks found no damage.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said the incident underscored the costly and preventable nature of such accidents. “Bridge strikes like this cost taxpayers millions of pounds each year and are entirely preventable,” the spokesperson said.
“We urge drivers to always consider the height and size of their vehicles, including any loads they are carrying, and to carefully plan their routes to avoid incidents that put our infrastructure at risk.”
The bus involved was part of First Bus’s service 372, travelling towards Colchester when it hit the 12ft 6in (3.8m) height-restricted bridge. The operator confirmed it was working with emergency services and recovery teams at the scene.
In a statement, First Bus said: “We assisted emergency crews and recovery teams following an incident involving one of our service 372 buses hitting the Duke Street railway bridge in Chelmsford. We have not been made aware of any injuries, and we will be undertaking a full investigation.”
Authorities reported that no passengers were on board at the time of the crash. Essex Police confirmed there were no injuries and noted that pedestrian access under the bridge was closed briefly as a safety measure.
Essex Highways echoed calls for drivers to exercise greater awareness, pointing out that the bridge’s clearance is clearly displayed.
“Every road user has the responsibility of being aware of their surroundings and driving safely, and this bridge clearly displays a height limit of 12ft 6in,” a spokesperson said. “Drivers must be careful when passing under structures and make sure their vehicles fit before making the attempt.”
The incident drew attention to a broader problem across the UK transport network. According to Network Rail, bridge strikes occur with worrying regularity, leading to substantial costs and delays for both rail passengers and freight services.
Campaigns in recent years have sought to raise awareness among commercial drivers about the importance of route planning and vehicle height checks, yet accidents persist.
For commuters in Chelmsford, Wednesday’s collision caused an hour-long disruption to bus services and delays to trains during the busy evening rush. While normal operations were quickly restored, the event served as a reminder of the potential consequences of driver inattention.
With an investigation underway, First Bus has pledged to review the incident and reinforce safety measures. Local authorities and Network Rail continue to urge vigilance, stressing that such incidents, though avoidable, place unnecessary strain on public infrastructure and services.
