A VAN became wedged under a railway bridge after another driver chanced their luck at squeezing underneath.

Now, a concerned resident has said “something must be done” after the latest in a long line of incidents at the notorious underpass in Lawford.

The spot, on the A137, has became infamous over the years for the number of drivers who try - and fail - to pass underneath.

James Walton, who was on his way to work shortly before midday on Thursday, watched on as the white van driver became the latest to fall victim to the low bridge.

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“I was driving to work and there was a bit of traffic in front of me. The barriers were down and nothing was moving or coming towards me.

“I then noticed the van at the front was stuck underneath the bridge and the driver was out of the cab looking at its roof.

“The van was only a couple of inches too tall but looked stuck fast. Regardless, he shouldn’t have gone under the bridge.

“I reversed and went over the level crossing and when I came down the other side I could see he had actually continued while I was waiting and gone through the bridge.

“He was again inspecting the damage to his roof.

“I was concerned he hadn’t left the van where it was to prevent causing more damage, or contacted Network Rail or the police as the sign on the bridge instructs.

“This isn’t the first or the last time this has happened and, judging from other people’s comments, other residents have also had enough.

“Something has to be done before there is a serious accident, especially when there was a similar incident on Wednesday too.”

Carlo Guglielmi, Essex county councillor for Mistley, Manningtree and Lawford, has been campaigning for a traffic light system at the bridge for several years.

He said: “We’ve got the design work nearly completed and will find out the time scale for it all in three weeks time.

“I’m confident the resources and funding are in place. The scheme is likely going to cost £200,000 but it is really the only solution to the problem.

“People should know better. If you see a low bridge coming towards you then you don’t progress, do you?”