A MAIN road was closed and trains forced to slow down after a lorry collided with a railway bridge.

The HGV became wedged beneath the bridge on Walkden Road near to the railway station at around 12.45pm.

Traffic was halted at the junction with Memorial Road for around two hours while the lorry was freed.

Trains were also forced to travel at a lower speed limit when crossing the bridge for an hour after the crash.

The rail line travels between Salford and Wigan, taking in stations at Swinton, Moorside, Walkden, Atherton, Hag Fold, Daisy Hill and Hindley.

Inspectors from Network Rail attended the scene and found that there was no structural damage to the bridge.

The road was then reopened shortly before 3pm.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “At 12:43pm the low railway bridge by Walkden station was hit by a lorry.

"Trains were placed under a temporary speed limit until 13:47pm when our inspection of the bridge found no structural damage had been caused.

"As bridge strikes like this are entirely avoidable and cause long delays for rail passengers we advise drivers to always know the size and height of their vehicles.”