A bridge too far for HGV that became stuck in Bishop Auckland

The truck was on its way to deliver stock to the town’s Asda store shortly after 10am when it collided with the railway bridge on South Church Road.

The driver had been following his satellite navigation system and was about 200m from the supermarket when he hit the bridge and became stuck.

The road was closed to allow traffic police and railway inspectors to assess the status of the bridge and ensure the safety of road users.

Train services to and from Bishop Auckland, on the Tees Valley Line, were temporarily suspended.

Network Rail was able to confirm that no structural damage had been caused and the line reopened by noon.

The lorry was then reversed away from the bridge and supermarket staff began the arduous process of moving stock from the back of the vehicle to the store using a forklift truck and trolleys.

The road was expected to be reopened around 1pm.

PC Craig Gaines, of the Cleveland and Durham specialist operation unit's road policing team, said: “The driver followed his satellite navigation and believed he could get to the store safely that way.

“Unfortunately, the vehicle was too big and as a result got stuck.

“Nobody was injured and no structural damage was caused - the lorry hit the railway bridge’s protective beams so they did what they are supposed to do.”

Other delivery vehicles are known to use the route to travel to Asda and other town centre shops and safely pass under the 13ft 9ins high bridge.