A STOBART truck struck a railway bridge in Victoria Road, Widnes, spilling debris across the carriageway,.

Witness Joseph Alfonzo, from Hale Road, said: “I couldn’t believe it. There are at least 10 signs warning drivers on the approach to this bridge that it is 15ft.

“How can a 16ft truck driver not realise the size of his load?”

The collision happened at 9.40pm on Wednesday, January 8.

Network Rail said no structural damage had been caused. A spokesman said: “There was superficial paint scrape. It was all cleared and resolved by 1am.”

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: “Highways were notified as the road needed to be closed whiles tthe vehicle was removed and debris cleared.”

A Stobart spokesman said: The driver was fully qualified, and a full time Eddie Stobart driver, who, like many, has come through the apprentice scheme.

"There were not 13 warning signs, there was a sign post and a sign on the bridge.  The driver had set the height indicator in his cab correctly."