# Bridge strikes caused £13m in damage and 183,319 minutes of delays

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/drivers-smash-into-railway-bridges-every-five-hours-costing-13m-in-repairs-and-183319-mins-of-train-delays/
- Published: 2026-11-15T16:35:56+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T16:47:22+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16294255/Drivers-smash-railway-bridges-five-hours.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Railway bridges were hit 1,706 times in 2025-26.
- The strikes caused 183,319 minutes of passenger delays.
- Network Rail plans new warnings and outreach to haulage firms.

## Summary

Drivers struck railway bridges 1,706 times in Britain between 2025 and 2026, averaging one collision every five hours. Network Rail says the incidents risk the safety of drivers, passengers and railway staff, while damaging infrastructure and disrupting train services.

The collisions caused 183,319 minutes of passenger delays and cost about £13.25 million, according to the article. A bridge on Watling Street in Leicestershire was hit 26 times, the highest number reported; Network Rail plans new warning signs and road markings, and will send “bridge-strike champions” to work with haulage businesses.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.