Honiton. Saw one of Maritime Haulage container trucks having to reverse back from a low bridge entering Exeter via Honiton Road against heavy rush hour traffic at 9.15 am this morning. If you are entering Exeter via the A30 from Honiton leave and join the M5 south to Junction 30 Exeter Services to avoid this 14ft 6 in Railway bridge. At the moment there are a lot of roadworks and signs as you approach Moor Lane roundabout and it is very easy to miss the low bridge sign. If you miss the conned off lane for the motorway don’t worry you can turn left at the roundabout and go through Sowton Ind Estate and the pick up again for Exeter city centre or Marsh Barton Ind Est.
Surely even a high cube container should get under a 14’ 6" bridge?
If you come across a 14 6 bridge it won’t normally be 14 6…I fit under a 12 foot bridge when my unit is 12 6, bit snug mind but goes under none the less. They seem to signpost them a few inches less than the actual height to make people think twice.
Harry Monk:
Surely even a high cube container should get under a 14’ 6" bridge?
a high cube on some of Maritime’s Scanias are higher than 14’ 6", the height of the fifth wheel plate is higher than most other trucks
shuttlespanker:
Harry Monk:
Surely even a high cube container should get under a 14’ 6" bridge?a high cube on some of Maritime’s Scanias are higher than 14’ 6", the height of the fifth wheel plate is higher than most other trucks
Not if you drop the middle axle down, 14’6 then, if mid axle is raised they’re 14’9
or were when I was there
I measured from the front pins on the trailer to the ground, this was 5’ with mid lift down, and 5’3 with it up because Scumia can’t lift an axle, so they raise the suspension 
I was down that very road yesterday afternoon. The low bridge is signed 2 roundabouts before with the alternative route for high and overweight vehicles, there is also a 7.5 ton weight limit (except for loading). If you miss the first roundabout, that takes you to the Sowton Industrial estate, the second which is past the park & ride and Met Office complex, is also signed but the least preferable route.
The point about all the road works (junction 29 improvement) signage is valid with regard to “information overload” but once past the Park & ride the road works area has finished. Also once under the bridge lorries can use the bus lanes. 
No you got that wrong wiretwister, the low bridge is after the 1st roundabout on the end of the A30 from Honiton which is Moor Lane roundabout passed the park and ride and is before the next roundabout which is Gallows roundabout . The 7.5 ton weight limit starts after gallows roundabout if going straight ahead. The bridge after gallows roundabout is an arch so no problem. Also let me correct you on Exeter’s bus lanes. Lorries are not allowed in bus lanes. Buses ,lorries ,taxis or permit holders are allowed in Exeter’s pollution lanes. Some are part-time only morning and evening rush hours and some are 24 / 7. these lanes were designed to get the biggest polluters out of the city as quick as possible, therefore improving the air quality near schools etc.
Unless they have changed it, 7.5 tonne and above ARE ALLOWED to use the bus lanes. See the signs at the start of the bus lane
miketdt:
No you got that wrong wiretwister, the low bridge is after the 1st roundabout on the end of the A30 from Honiton which is Moor Lane roundabout passed the park and ride and is before the next roundabout which is Gallows roundabout .
Mike. Are you sure about that?
maps.google.co.uk/?ll=50.725277, … 7&t=h&z=16
The A30 ends, according to google maps, at M5 junction 29 and from then on is the A3015. The junction at Honiton road, Moor Lane & Ambassador drive looks to me like a roundabout, The junction at Honiton Road, B3183 and Wilton way also looks like a roundabout. The low bridge is at the point where Hill Barton Road crosses the Honiton Road.
Yep I am right , I teach it everyday. the low railway bridge is 40 metres after Vospers garage.
miketdt:
Yep I am right , I teach it everyday. the low railway bridge is 40 metres after Vospers garage.
(zb) I’d better get myself down to specsavers 'cause I can’t recall that bridge 
. In mitigation non of our kit is above 13’9" so wouldn’t even be looking for anything over 14 foot. I guess the road bridge being arched sticks in the memory as it might be necessary to react if there are vehicles taking the centre of the road to clear.
Sorry for doubting you.