The Shore Street bridge, recent work on which is described on the previous page, also underwent significant reconstruction of the deck nearly 20 years ago, after being struck by an excavator on a loader in October 2003. Having been a frequent victim of vehicle strikes, the decision was taken then to add collision protection beams designed to resist full collision loading and prevent vehicles hitting the bridge itself. They are anchored rigidly to the masonry, and the connections are specially designed to dissipate the load through the stonework and not overload it locally. The beams can be seen in these views and from beneath you can see the gap between the beams and the bridge itself. The comparatively lightweight steel construction is evident when seen from below [right]. The installation of the beams has meant that when Network Rail is informed of a strike it can have confidence that the main structure has not been damaged and can continue to run trains pending a full inspection, thereby reducing disruption.

The all-too-common scenario is seen here in the aftermath of a 2018 bridge strike. A lorry wedged under the bridge after the driver "misjudged the height" of his load. The driver was fined but it is not known whether Network Rail managed to reclaim the cost of over two hours of delays caused while the vehicle was being extricated.

STOP PRESS: 19 December 2023, yet another strike on this bridge.