Driver Arrested Following Bridge Collision That Disrupted West Coast Main Line

A lorry driver has been arrested after a bridge strike in Warwickshire caused major disruption to rail services and resulted in part of a railway bridge collapsing.

The incident occurred on Marston Lane near Whitestone on 11 June and affected the Trent Valley section of the West Coast Main Line between Rugby and Nuneaton. Rail services were suspended for several hours while engineers assessed the damage, with trains diverted via Birmingham until the route reopened during the early hours of 12 June.

Network Rail teams were deployed immediately to stabilise the structure and carry out emergency repairs. Engineers reinforced the damaged section of the bridge before services were permitted to resume safely.

Although trains are once again operating through the area, repair work remains ongoing. Some services continue to be diverted, and a temporary speed restriction of 50mph has been imposed to allow engineers to complete further remedial works safely. Road closures around the bridge are also expected to remain in place over the coming week.

Warwickshire Police confirmed that a 64-year-old man from Coventry was arrested in connection with the incident. He has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

According to police, the arrest followed an alleged collision involving a lorry and the bridge structure. Investigators say the driver left the scene without reporting the incident.

In a statement, Warwickshire Police said the man was arrested on suspicion of endangering a railway passenger and failing to stop following a road traffic collision.

The impact of the collision caused significant structural damage, with a substantial section of the bridge falling onto the roadway below. The collapse raised concerns over the safety of both rail and road users and prompted an immediate response from emergency services and railway engineers.

Bridge strikes remain one of the most common causes of disruption across Britain’s rail network, although the number of incidents has gradually declined in recent years. Network Rail recorded 1,666 bridge strikes between April 2024 and March 2025, compared with a peak of more than 2,000 incidents in 2018.

Each strike carries a significant financial burden, with Network Rail estimating the average cost of an incident at around £13,000. These costs include inspections, repairs, delays, and disruption to passengers and freight operators.