A LORRY driver has been reported for dangerous driving after hitting the Wrecclesham railway bridge, slicing off the HGV’s roof and bringing rush-hour traffic to a halt.

The latest incident occurred at around 7am on November 10, when an HGV operated by local firm Alton Transport Service misjudged the height of the bridge and hit its protective boom when approaching from the Coxbridge roundabout.

Although the lorry didn’t overturn, as has been the case on two previous occasions this year, it did leave a thin sheet of razor-sharp metal strewn across the A325 Wrecclesham Hill and pavement.

No injuries were reported, but Surrey Police attended the scene and confirmed this week that the driver has been reported for dangerous driving and is likely to be summonsed at a later date.

The A325 was partially blocked in both directions near River Lane, but the road was clear as of around 9.30am. Network Rail engineers also attended to check the condition of the bridge, which escaped damage.

Haulage company Alton Transport Service later apologised for the disruption and, in a statement on its Facebook page, claimed the driver had been told to avoid Wrecclesham.

It said: “As most people are aware we had a lorry hit the bridge at Wrecclesham. We are so very sorry for the inconvenience caused. We cleared the road as fast as we could having people onsite within 10 minutes.

“The driver was not one of ours and had been given very clear instructions not to go that way and he chose not to follow our orders. He is being dealt with by the police and his company.

“We are very proud of the service that we provide and are so upset that this has tarnished our reputation.”

It comes amid calls for urgent safety improvements on the A325, following the death of a pedestrian in Wrecclesham Hill earlier this year and a flurry of HGVs hitting the bridge this year.

Responding to the latest incident, local councillor Pat Frost said on behalf of campaign group Wrecclesham Village Voice: “Yet another accident with a vehicle hitting the bridge – these type of incidents are getting more frequent – it can only be a matter of time before something much more serious happens under the bridge and brings into sharp focus the urgent need for a Wrecclesham relief road.

“For the sake of the people of Wrecclesham we must reduce the heavy traffic on the A325.”