'Satnavs to blame' as lorries get stuck under bridge in Wimbledon

This van became the latest vehicle to get stuck underneath a notorious railway bridge that has seen at least nine accidents in 18 months.

A series of lorries, vans and trailers have got trapped under the bridge in Lower Downs Road, Wimbledon, after apparently relying on their satnavs.

Matthew Appleby, who lives nearby, said that he had witnessed accidents at the rate of “almost one a month”.

Merton council said: “There are a number of warning signs on both approaches to the bridge including flashing height detectors which alert drivers to the fact that their vehicle will not fit in the tunnel.

“We have done all we can as a local authority but are continuing to work with Network Rail, who own the bridge, to see if there is anything else they can do to minimise the chances of these incidents happening in the future.”

After the incident yesterday a police spokesman said: “Officers were called to a lorry in a collision with a railway bridge. We assisted with road closures until recovery was complete.”