Confusing signs at a railway bridge in Rugeley are set to be replaced after concerns were raised they could increase the risk of lorries hitting the structure rather than prevent it.

The signs are located at the bridge carrying the West Coast Mainline at Rugeley Trent Valley station. Lorry driver Mike Craney, who lives in Cannock, has repeatedly reported the issue to authorities.

The signage problem

Approaching the Colton Road bridge from Colton, a mile away, the structure is first signed as 14ft 3in (4.3m) in height, then 13ft 9in (4.2m), before reverting to 14ft 3in immediately before the bridge itself, which is correctly marked as 13ft 9in.

Craney, who has spent more than 20 years driving HGVs, said the conflicting information could give drivers "a false sense of security".

One of the signs on the route, maintained by Staffordshire County Council, has been partially obscured by trees.

Recent bridge strikes

Network Rail said there have been seven strikes at the bridge in the last three years. The height restriction was deliberately reduced from 14ft 3in to 13ft 9in in 2021 to reduce the risk of bridge strikes.

Network Rail said the bridge itself measures 14ft 4in (4.38m), and that all signs on routes it maintains are correct. It admitted it was unaware of discrepancies on council-maintained signs until Craney raised the issue.

Across Britain's rail network, there were 1,666 reported bridge strikes between April 2024 and March 2025.

What drivers face

Craney said the consequences of striking a railway bridge are severe. He explained: "If we hit any other bridge, it's a fine from the police. If we hit a railway bridge, it's an invitation to an interview with the traffic commissioner, and we do lose our licence for it."

He believes replacing the incorrect signs would "take 10 minutes", adding that the alternative is road and railway closures lasting 12 to 24 hours.

What happens next

Staffordshire County Council confirmed it is working with Network Rail to replace the signage. Peter Mason, cabinet member for strategic highways at the council, said all signs associated with the bridge would be updated where necessary to reflect the correct maximum headroom of 13ft 9in (4.2m), with work part-funded by Network Rail.

Mason said: "We will also continue to monitor this location."