TRAIN services are experiencing cancellations and delays after a lorry hit a bridge.

Operator c2c has cancelled trains between Fenchurch Street and Shoebury after earlier warning traveller to expect delays between Pitsea and Leigh.

The train firm used Twitter to tell customers the crash happened somewhere between the two stations. A spokesman was not able to say exactly where it happened but the bridge is thought to be in Benfleet.

The company has cancelled nine trains including the 4.12pm from Shoebury to Fenchurch Street service and the 5.13pm from Fenchurch Street to Leigh.

Other services from Fenchurch Street to Grays and Leigh have also been cancelled.

Eight services are delayed by about an hour and are not calling at all stations.

Delays are expected until 5pm. The full list of cancelled trains are here:

  • 4pm Fenchurch Street to Shoebury
  • 4.12pm Shoebury to Fenchurch Street
  • 4.18pm Laindon to Fenchurch Street
  • 4.40pm Fenchurch Street to Grays
  • 4.48pm Grays to Fenchurch Street
  • 5.13pm Fenchurch Street to Leigh
  • 5.29pm Fenchurch Street to Southend Central
  • 5.37pm Fenchurch Street to Pitsea
  • 6.16pm Fenchurch Street to Shoebury
  • 6.42 Southend Central to Fenchurch Street

The lorry has since been recovered.

A Network Rail spokesman said the crash happened at 2.26pm and the line was re-opened just over an hour later after inspectors deemed the bridge safe.

He said: “We sent out someone to inspect it as a precaution, which we would normally do anyway.

“They will look at the bridge and if there are no problems, which would appear to be the case, we would re-open the line.”

A c2C spokesman said: "We were unable to run trains over the bridge for around an hour this afternoon, after Network Rail had to close it for safety checks following reports it had been hit by a lorry.

"Our services resumed as soon as the track was given the all-clear.

"We are sorry for the delays caused to our passengers while the line was closed, and we hope to get our services back on time as soon as possible."