THE CANAL BRIDGE OVER the Lancaster Canal at Swillbrook has been struck 11 times.
This over a period of five years, Janet Friend reports.
Vehicles too long for the bridge
As this canal is the property of Lancashire County Council, and has cost the council hundreds of thousands of pounds in repairs caused by vehicles that are too long for the bridge, it is to be protected by a new restriction.
The restriction that is planned is to impose a maximum vehicle length of 23ft (7m) on traffic on the bridge.
Exemptions would of course be made for such as the emergency services and bin lorries.
Public consultation
There is a formal public consultation that has been brought in to discuss the council's proposals.
The council admitting that these were 'generally favourable'.
A report has shown that vehicles greater than 7m in length cannot cross the bridge without the risk of causing damage to it. This is as the approaches to the bridge and the angle that the bridge crosses the canal.
The damage to the bridge by oversized vehicles causes a safety risk to boats passing under.