Dual signage to be deployed in battle against bridge strikes

The Department for Transport (DfT) has proposed the introduction of bridge signage that will show both imperial and metric height, width and length limits, according to the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

More than 1,600 bridge strikes occurred in the UK in 2014-15, as large vehicles too tall, wide or long for bridge tunnels attempted to traverse them. According to a DfT review, a lack of understanding of imperial measurements is partly to blame.

“While highways and bridge authorities have had the opportunity to mark bridges with imperial and metric measurements in the past, this has been done by the installation of a separate sign,” said FTA.  “The proposed change gives the power to mark both measurements on one sign.”

It said that younger and foreign drivers in particular are more accustomed to metric measurements, and often have to calculate from imperial with little time to spare.

Vehicles with an overall travelling height of more than three metres are required to have an in-cab notice indicating the height in feet and inches, or in imperial and metric.

Malcolm Bingham, FTA’s head of road network policy, said: “While the new rules have still to be finalised, it is proposed that highway authorities will be allowed to replace the current signs as they become life expired.  FTA has urged the DfT to encourage early take-up of the new option.”