There are lengthy tailbacks on the A142 after a lorry collided with the railway bridge in Ely today (Thursday).

The lorry was badly damaged and got stuck under the bridge shortly before midday causing traffic tailbacks along the A142.

Police are at the scene and traffic is being directed across the overpass while recovery crews release the lorry.

The bridge measures 9ft at its centre, but slightly less on the slopes that lead in and out.

The bridge has a notorious reputation for being hit – the record year being 2010 when it was hit 16 times by motorists unaware of or ignorant of the height restrictions.

In that year, it was dubbed ‘the most bashed bridge’ in Britain by Network Rail following a spate of accidents involving lorries, caravans and camper vans.