An automatic low-bridge warning system triggered by signals from outer space is reducing accidents, stopping traffic chaos and cutting the multi-million pound cost of bridge strikes.

And it has earned a 2004 Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Bridgeclear Ltd, a four-man Crewe company that won the Award in the Innovation category. The Award was presented to the company today (13 July) by the Lord Lieutenant for Cheshire, William Bromley Davenport JP, in the Signals Lounge at Crewe Alexandra Stadium.

Before the presentation the company laid on a media demonstration of their equipment by installing it on a double-deck bus and driving it towards a bridge it could not fit under.  On board were representatives of the company, and of Network Rail, whose bridges are often involved in collisions.

Every year in the UK more than 1,900 bridges are damaged by double deck buses or lorries that are too high to get under them. It costs around £50 million a year in addition to human distress and traffic disruption.

Network Rail alone estimates that the cost of strikes on railway bridges tops £20 million a year in terms of inspections, repairs and delays.

Bridgeclear was set up five years ago to tackle the problem, and its Bridgewatch 2000 warning system is now the industry standard. It warns drivers of low bridges by combining three pieces of information – the vehicle height, the operating height of all bridges in the UK, and GPS technology using up to 12 satellites to pinpoint the exact position of the vehicle at any given moment. 

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The self-contained in-cab unit updates the vehicle position every two seconds, and can give early warning of low bridges up to 40 km in advance.  In the final kilometre it gives three warning voice messages or beeps and flashes a red warning light.  At 500 metres the signal sounds every four seconds, then speeds up rapidly as the obstruction gets closer.

Bridgeclear managing director Bramham Knight said:

“Low bridge strikes by buses and HGVs occur on average five times a day – and the cost to vehicle operators is not just for repairs and delays.  Transport firms may have to compensate customers for damaged goods, while Network Rail can also demand contributions towards repairing bridges and compensation for delayed rail operations which often reach five figures and sometimes six.

“Even when drivers stop in time there can be traffic chaos while they extricate their vehicles.”

Commented Stephen Brice, Acting Queen’s Awards Secretary:

“Innovation is alive and well and living in Crewe!  And Bridgeclear with its warning system is a fine example of a Queen’s Award winner, proving that even the smallest company can compete with the giants of industry for this prestigious Award.”

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