Highways bosses review most bashed bridge solution

Highways officials are reviewing a long-awaited scheme aimed at stopping tall vehicles hitting a low bridge dubbed "Britain's most bashed".

Work to lower the road under the rail bridge over the A5 Watling Street, near Hinckley, was initially due to be carried out in March 2024, but has yet to begin.

National Highways has said a technical review of the road-lowering plan would progress in the coming weeks and it was hoped work could begin later this year.

However, councillors fear the "highly complex" scheme might be unviable.

The road-lowering plan was approved when permission was granted for a large logistics park near the bridge in June 2023.

Developer Mountpark said it would fund the project and is working with National Highways on final proposals.

Hinckley and Bosworth borough councillor Paul Williams said: "The developer is prepared to pay for the scheme, but it still needs to be confirmed by National Highways."

"The issue is that if you lower the road you could get down into the water table and then there is the risk of flooding on a very busy road," he added.

"That's complicated it and is the main cause of the delays.

"If they decide, after this review, that the scheme can't go ahead, we are back to square one."

Network Rail figures have shown the A5 bridge was struck 22 times between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, confirming its status as the most bashed bridge in the country.

Williams said each strike caused massive traffic jams on nearby roads and said lorry drivers themselves had a responsibility to avoid the bridge if they have very tall vehicles.

Ann Pendlebury, a borough councillor for Hinckley and a county councillor, said: "We have to get on with something to solve this problem and I fear the logistics park will be completed and in use long before the bridge work happens."

National Highways programme development manager, Ian Doust, said: "Our priority for this, as with all of our roads, is safety, which is why we have worked closely with the developer to ensure this is carried out to the highest design and technical specifications and is delivered without unacceptable levels of disruption.

"This is not a quick fix to the issues at this location, it is a highly complex engineering solution and lowering the road must not adversely impact the bridge or drainage system, particularly with changing weather patterns.

"Taking into account traffic levels, we must be certain work can be delivered safely and without unacceptable levels of disruption.

"We work closely with the developers and the design is now ready for technical approval consideration, with work scheduled to start this year.

"While the time taken may be frustrating, this level of scrutiny and assurance is essential to ensure that the road will be safe, serviceable and resilient for years to come."

Mountpark has been contacted for comment.

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