TRAFFIC was brought to a standstill when a HGV car transporter vehicle got stuck on a humpback bridge over the Bridgewater Canal at Oughtrington near Lymm.
The driver of the the fully laden vehicle managed to miss warning signs before becoming stuck on the ancient bridge, known locally as “Dog Bridge,” which has a four tonne limit.
Local residents and passersby watched in shock as the vehicle became wedged on the small hump back bridge on Tuesday evening.
Traffic jams formed in both directions as the driver rang for assistance.
Eventually a rescue vehicle arrived and managed to pull it free as it continued its journey up Oughtrington Lane.
Local eye witness reports say the surface of the bridge has been damaged.
Local Cllr Ian Marks said, “I have been on the Council for a long while and heavy vehicles travelling through the village has been an ongoing problem. Sometimes it is a satnav problem, sometimes it is just drivers failing to read signs. We frequently get on to the Police and the Council but we have failed to put a stop to illegal journeys through the village.
“This is one of the worst incidents I know of and has caused damage to this historic bridge. I hope that the driver is severely penalised and we can get the message round to the haulage industry that they must exert more control over their drivers. It’s a difficult problem to crack because proof is needed that vehicles are not delivering in the village and registration numbers must be noted. We must use this incident to have another go at finding a solution.”
Cllr Kath Buckley added:”This is a disgrace. The Parish Council has constantly complained to Warrington Borough Council and the police about the HGVs going through the Village.
They are monitered by the police, but unfortunately the drivers ignore the signs, as this driver has done.”
Pictures courtesy of Darren Wheatley https://www.facebook.com/darrenwheatleyphotography/
One of the signs missed by the driver
