Travel chaos on A55 as lorry ‘collides’ with bridge
A lorry 'struck' the A55 Britannia Bridge causing traffic and rail chaos. According to North Wales Police the westbound lane was closed at around 4.30pm after a crash on the link between Anglesey[1] and the mainland. Officers urged drivers to use alternative routes while traffic was diverted to the Menai Suspension Bridge.
Photos appear to show the lorry having hit one of the bridge's arches, but a different image from Traffic Wales suggests there is a gap between the truck and the tower arch. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter[2]
Transport for Wales said: "Due to a lorry colliding with a bridge between Holyhead[5] and Bangor[6], Gwynedd[7] the line is blocked. Network Rail have advised us that a lorry has struck one of the pillars on Britannia Bridge.
At this time, no trains are allowed to cross until technicians and engineers arrive to inspect. Road transport has been requested but is proving difficult to source because of road transport operators on other work elsewhere."
Lorry 'collision' on the Britannia Bridge (Image: Traffic Wales)The incident caused major tailbacks in the area - coming as commuters started to make their way home. According to North Wales Live the incident even affected rail services.
At 4.40pm Traffic Wales announced it was closing the road to remove the truck.
Later at 6.05pm they said traffic would be "batched" on both sides to allow traffic through.
At around 8pm traffic service Inrix said the road had cleared following an "earlier broken down lorry".
References
- ^ Anglesey (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Body found in search for missing man (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ The incredible sight as Storm Darragh covers Welsh village in foam (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Holyhead (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Bangor (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Gwynedd (www.dailypost.co.uk)