A 133-year-old footbridge on one of Britain’s treasured heritage railway lines was destroyed after a volunteer incorrectly loaded an eight-tonne digger onto an engineering train, a new investigation has revealed.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) confirmed that the Grade II-listed wrought-iron structure at St Mary’s Halt in Lydney, Gloucestershire, collapsed at 10.55 BST on 14 August this year.
The bridge, believed to be the final surviving structural relic of the Severn and Wye Railway, had only recently undergone restoration in 2019.
Its sudden loss has sparked disappointment among heritage railway supporters and raised questions about safety standards for volunteer-run rail operations.
According to the RAIB’s report, the incident occurred when a Dean Forest Railway volunteer attempted to load the digger onto an engineering wagon but failed to position its arm correctly.
The misjudgment caused the machinery to strike the footbridge as the train passed beneath, resulting in catastrophic structural failure that brought the entire bridge crashing down.
Investigators found that the volunteer responsible for the loading had not completed the required training for handling heavy plant machinery. While the individual had experience assisting with engineering trains, they lacked the formal certification necessary to operate or load such equipment safely.
The RAIB report stated that the digger’s arm height exceeded the permitted clearance, and the volunteer did not follow standard safety protocols that would have identified the risk before the train moved.
As the engineering train travelled slowly beneath the bridge, the raised arm made contact with the central span, shearing metal components and causing the structure to collapse instantly.
The Dean Forest Railway, a popular heritage line operated largely by volunteers, expressed regret over the incident. A spokesperson said the organisation was “deeply saddened” by the loss of a significant historic structure and stressed its commitment to implementing the RAIB’s recommendations.
“We are cooperating fully with investigators and will ensure that training procedures are strengthened to prevent any similar occurrence in the future,” the statement read.
Local heritage groups have also reacted with dismay. The St Mary’s Heritage Trust described the collapse as “a major blow to the region’s railway history,” noting that the bridge had stood since the late 19th century and survived decades of industrial change. Its restoration in 2019 had been funded partly by community donations and volunteer labour.
The investigation highlighted broader safety concerns at heritage railways, many of which rely heavily on volunteer workers and operate under less formalised structures than national rail networks.
While such lines are subject to specific regulatory oversight, the level of training, supervision and operational discipline can vary significantly.
RAIB inspectors urged the Dean Forest Railway to improve its verification process for volunteer competence, introduce additional supervision for high-risk engineering tasks, and enhance communication procedures before equipment is loaded or moved. The report also recommended clearer signage and guidelines regarding height restrictions along the railway.
Despite the absence of injuries, the collapse caused extensive damage and left the pathway at St Mary’s Halt inaccessible. The railway has temporarily suspended engineering work in the area, and the remains of the bridge are being assessed to determine whether any part of the structure can be salvaged. Early indications suggest that complete reconstruction may be the only viable option.
Local councillors in the Forest of Dean district have called for funding discussions to begin as soon as the railway completes its internal review. They stressed the cultural and tourism value of the heritage line, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The RAIB concluded that the collapse was “entirely avoidable” and resulted directly from inadequate training and insufficient checks. The report serves as a reminder that even on volunteer-led heritage railways, strict adherence to safety protocols remains vital.
As restoration plans take shape, supporters hope the historic bridge can one day be rebuilt—this time with lessons firmly learned from a preventable accident that shattered a link to the region’s industrial past.
