Call for new safety measures after lorry ends up in river following Bridgnorth bridge crash
Calls have been made for increased safety measures on a road after a lorry crashed into a bridge.
A 50-year-old man was taken to hospital after his lorry crashed into a bridge on the B4176 in Stableford, near Bridgnorth, just before 4am on Tuesday.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue crews from Bridgnorth, Telford Central, Tweedale and Wellington were sent to the crash.
The lorry later toppled over into the River Worfe.
The driver managed to escape from the vehicle, and was taken to New Cross Hospital with chest pains.
Environment unit equipment from Tweedale Fire Station was used to prevent any contamination of a nearby water course.
West Mercia Police said the road was closed for some time due to the damage caused to the bridge.
Jack Fullwood of nearby Stableford Hall said he is calling for safety improvements to be made to the bridge in the past.
He believes motorists travel too quick on the approach to the bridge.
He said: "This bridge is a narrow one-way bridge and is notorious for accidents.
"We have complained many times to the police, Shropshire Council and the Police Commissioner.
"Shropshire Council on one occasion said they could not widen the bridge as it was a listed structure. We have pointed out to them that the listed bridge is Stableford bridge on the road between Stableford and Badger.
"Although the approach to the bridge is signposted at 30mph and traffic from Telford going towards Wombourne are supposed to give way, it rarely happens.
"Traffic speeds are well in excess of 30mph and the give way sign is frequently ignored."
Mr Fullwood said a motorcyclist was recently killed on the same stretch of road within 500 metres of the bridge, and has called on Shropshire Council to do something.
He said: "It's about time Shropshire Council got its act together and either widened the bridge or put in traffic lights.
"How difficult can it be in this day and age to put in solar powered traffic flow activated signals?"
Shropshire Council has been contacted for comment.
