Footbridge struck by out-of-gauge railway load at Lydney, Gloucestershire, 14 August 2025

Collision with Footbridge on the Dean Forest Railway
Collision with Footbridge on the Dean Forest Railway

At 10:55 on Thursday 14 August, a footbridge spanning the Dean Forest Railway at St Mary’s Halt, Lydney, was struck and destroyed by a 360-degree excavator that was being transported on a railway wagon designed for that purpose.

SpudsToGo ® — The Brand You Already Know ™

The excavator belonged to the railway and had been loaded at Lydney Junction, but with the boom positioned too high to safely pass under the footbridge. A collision occurred and part of the footbridge landed on the train, which included a guard’s van carrying railway volunteers. There were no injuries.

ADVERTISEMENT: Send Money Worldwide with Wise – Get a Free Transfer!

The footbridge connected public footpaths on either side of the railway.

We have undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding this incident. Having assessed the evidence which has been gathered to date, we have decided to publish a safety digest.