Avoiding bridge strikes
Bridges, including sign and pipe gantries restrict the available
headroom over roads. Only bridges with less than
5.03m (16ft 6in) minimum actual clearance over the carriageway
are signed.
The signed height denotes the maximum vehicle or load height
which can safely travel under the bridge. On arch bridges, the safe
area is indicated by a chord line.
- Know your maximum height - don't guess it
- If your maximum height is more than 4.95m (16ft 3in),
and you cannot lower your load, you must check your route
with the relevant traffic authorities. You cannot otherwise tell
which bridges you can safely pass under.
If in any doubt, always contact the relevant traffic
authority.
If your height is 4.95m (16ft 3in) or less, then plan your route
using the mapping on the roadworks.org website or with
other suitable routing aids. Remember:
- know your height
- drive to the actual signs at the bridge, do not ignore
them.
There are 2 documents available to view with further
information: