The Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester,Vernon Everitt has been commissioned by Salford’s Mayor to oversee the delivery of an urgent report, to be returned to him next week, to look into the full circumstances around the Barton bridge strike on Monday
A double-decker Bee Network bus collided with a bridge – an aqueduct – on Barton Lane in Eccles. The 100 service was carrying passengers but was not on its specified route
three people – a 19-year-old female, and two men, one in his 20s and another in his 40s – sustained serious injury and remain in hospital in a stable condition. 17 other casualties were also treated at the scene.
The driver of the bus – a man in his 50s – was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and has since been bailed pending further investigations.
Following a series of site visits TfGM, Salford City Council and Peel have agreed several short-term measures to be implemented as soon as possible.
This includes the installation of new and additional warning measures – including further signage – at and near the bridge, some of which (roadside signs) is already in place.
TfGM has written to the most senior leaders in each of the bus operators to seek reassurances about their operating practices, including training and procedures to mitigate against bridge strikes, and we are working with them to share best practices.
They have written to all 10 local authorities and are in contact with other partners with responsibility for managing and maintaining low bridges to ask them to satisfy themselves and us that mitigating measures to prevent strikes are fit for purpose, and where they are not that steps are taken to rectify. This will be managed through an existing forum that includes TfGM and highways teams from all 10 councils.
Work is underway to examine the potential of re-routing services away from the Barton Lane bridge. This is at a formative stage and will be discussed with Salford City Council and others.
Everitt added:
I have heard very clearly the concern from the local community that there have been many other collisions at this location over many years. My report to the Mayor will draw all of this together in addition to the specific collision this week.
Regrettably, a training bus, driven by a trainee driver was also in collision with a low bridge on Ten Acres Lane in Newton Heath on Tuesday. No passengers were onboard, and nobody was injured. I have spoken to the head of Metroline’s Manchester operations myself and this incident too will be thoroughly investigated and form part of my report.
Our commitment to safe operations is absolute. Core to this will be the further development of a Bee Network safety standard, as part of our long-term Vision Zero strategy and plan to eliminate death and serious injuries on the city region’s roads.
We will provide further updates as soon as we can.
