Better signage is being called for after rail services to Aberystwyth were suspended this week when a lorry hit a bridge near Bow Street.

A vehicle, believed to be a lorry, hit the rail bridge, in Bow Street, at around 4pm yesterday which led to all services between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth being suspended for the duration of Monday and into Tuesday morning while the damage was assessed.

Trains to Aberystwyth have now resumed after the bridge was given the okay.

Bow Street county councillor Paul Hinge said this is a recurring issue, adding: “There are too many incidents now of lorries either not being able to get there and negotiate the bridge, or someone hitting it.

“There is an issue with the river, which has been seen to be eroding away one set of pillars, they’ve done some remedial work to it and an inspection on it, but it doesn’t help if a lorry goes crashing into it – that’s going to weaken the structure.

“The North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency should look at signage way before the bridge, both coming through Bow Street and on the other side, probably in Waunfawr, telling drivers there’s a low bridge.

“It’s only 14 foot and these arctic lorries these days are huge. I can understand Transport for Wales being cautious in taking the trains off the line until such times they are satisfied the bridge is structurally sound enough for the trains to go over.

“But TfW are hostage to what NMWTRA want to do.”

Cllr Hinge added: “We’ve spoken to the NMWTRA over the years about the bridge, so it’s not as if it’s something new to them.

“What they need to do now is be a little more proactive in trying to resolve the issue. They might need to do some work to the bridge, the main issue is challenging vehicles that are too big to come down that way. But also noting the fact that they cannot control bad driving, which may be another causation of it.”

A TfW spokesperson said: “Due to a vehicle hitting a bridge in Bow Street on Monday afternoon, all services between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth were stopped while the damage was assessed by engineers from Network Rail.

“Replacement road transport was provided on Monday evening and Tuesday morning, and passengers are advised to check www.tfwrail.wales for the latest information before travelling.”