Residents near the A48 railway bridge at Jordan Hill have voiced urgent concerns about the safety of this low clearance structure, describing it as a “fatality waiting to happen.” A public meeting held on July 15 at Westbury-on-Severn Parish Hall attracted over 30 villagers who demanded immediate action to address ongoing dangers.
The bridge’s limited height forces tall vehicles such as buses and lorries to veer into the middle of the road when passing underneath, leading to frequent collisions and near misses. Over time, one resident was forced to demolish their garage after repeated vehicle impacts caused extensive damage.
Several attendees highlighted the persistent issue of vehicles speeding past the 50mph limit on the descent from Jordan Hill. Due to a blind bend and restricted visibility around the bridge, drivers cannot see oncoming traffic until it’s almost too late. This situation is particularly perilous when two large vehicles attempt to cross simultaneously.
READ MORE: Sophie Wessex’s Special Strictly Surprise for Lady Louise After Royal Wedding Chaos
READ MORE: Why the RAF Red Arrows Might Fly Italian, Swedish, or Korean Jets in Future RIAT Displays
One local who has lived beside the bridge for seven years revealed that she has personally assisted at crash scenes 24 times during that period. She stressed, “There’s nothing we can do about drivers who push the 50mph speed limit on a blind bend under a low bridge.” Several incidents have resulted in vehicles crashing into what was once her garage, now demolished for safety reasons.
Bus drivers also expressed their anxiety. Daniel Slattery shared, “When going under the bridge towards Elton Corner, all drivers worry about passenger safety. We can’t see what’s coming until the other vehicle is almost on top of us.” Another bus driver reported 158 near misses in just 174 crossings of the bridge.
Residents asked whether it would take a fatality before changes are made. Many called for extending the 30mph speed limit from the village up to Jordan Hill to reduce speeds approaching the bridge.
Highways officials acknowledged the concerns, noting that extending the speed limit would cost approximately £15,000 due to required roadworks and legal processes. They also discussed possible safety enhancements like motion-activated warning signs for large vehicles, though such measures would require Network Rail’s approval. Representatives from Network Rail, who own the bridge, declined to attend the meeting.
Gloucestershire Constabulary’s road safety officer offered to conduct a speed survey near the bridge, and the county council’s road safety auditor said he would explore installing advisory 30mph signage on both sides of the bridge.
Despite frustrations over limited resources, officials promised to review the data and maintain communication with the community. Councillor Simon Phelps and County Cabinet member Joe Harris emphasized ongoing efforts, including recent improvements such as refreshed road markings and new signage on both sides of the bridge.
Network Rail stated they currently have no planned work at Jordan Hill bridge but encouraged residents to report any structural concerns via their 24-hour helpline.
While local authorities work on solutions, villagers remain united in urging swift and effective measures to prevent what many see as an inevitable tragedy.