A railway bridge in Baldock was hit again by a lorry this morning, causing yet more misery to commuters on the Great Northern line.

The Comet: The lorry was damaged after striking the railway bridge in Station Road, Baldock. Picture: Andy GrahamThe lorry was damaged after striking the railway bridge in Station Road, Baldock. Picture: Andy Graham (Image: Archant)

Train operator Govia Thameslink was alerted at about 8.30am after a lorry struck the bridge in Station Road, with trains delayed by up to 20 minutes as a result.

Earlier this year Network Rail figures obtained by the Comet showed the bridge is hit five times a year on average – with the total repair and compensation costs between 2003 and 2015 totalling £750,000.

Govia’s local development manager Larry Heyman said: “Network Rail’s Mobile Operations Manager, who is based at Hitchin and was fortunately close by, was on site at 8.35am.

“The line was examined and, following safety checks, it was confirmed that the bridge had not sustained any damage. All lines reopened at 8.43am.

“Numerous trains were delayed as a result of this bridge strike with the longest delay to any one train being 20 minutes. Delays totalling 254 minutes resulted from this single incident, affecting many hundreds of passengers.

“Great Northern would like to apologise to all passengers’ whose journeys were affected.

One passenger from Baldock, Andy Graham, said: “I just don’t understand how this keeps happening. I don’t know if they get compensation from lorry drivers for the damage but they should – there’s enough signs about the height restriction.

“I was late getting into London again this morning as a result and it holds up the traffic too.”