Andy Burnham has ordered an ‘urgent report’ into the incident(Image: MEN Media)

Bee Network bosses have issued a new update on the crash that ripped a double decker bus’ roof off and ‘seriously injured’ three people on Monday (July 21).

The driver of the Bee Network bus which collided with a aqueduct bridge on Barton Lane in Eccles, Salford, has since been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident, according to Greater Manchester transport commissioner Vernon Everitt, who said new safety measures like ‘additional signage’ have been installed during an update on Wednesday (July 23).

The 100 service was off its usual route, authorities have said, and Mr Everitt told a Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) meeting ‘in this case, this was not a planned change — the bus was just not on the right route’.

Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here

He added in a statement: “It is impossible to comprehend how frightening and traumatic this must have been for everyone.

“We are working closely with GMP to make sure that everyone involved is receiving the support they need.”

Mr Everitt went on to confirm ‘all available CCTV from the bus has now been recovered by the operator, Stagecoach, and provided to GMP to assist the investigation’. Information found through a new joint-Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Salford council and aqueduct owners Peel probe would also be passed to cops, he said.

But immediate measures have been taken by authorities in the wake of the crash, including putting up ‘additional signage’, Mr Everitt said: “Following a series of site visits TfGM, Salford council and Peel have agreed several short-term measures to be implemented as soon as possible.

(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

“This includes the installation of new and additional warning measures – including further signage – at and near the bridge, some of which (roadside signs) is already in place.

“TfGM has written to the most senior leaders in each of the bus operators to seek reassurances about their operating practices, including training and procedures to mitigate against bridge strikes, and we are working with them to share best practices.

“We have written to all 10 local authorities and are in contact with other partners with responsibility for managing and maintaining low bridges to ask them to satisfy themselves and us that mitigating measures to prevent strikes are fit for purpose, and where they are not that steps are taken to rectify. This will be managed through an existing forum that includes TfGM and highways teams from all 10 councils.

“Work is underway to examine the potential of re-routing services away from the Barton Lane bridge. This is at a formative stage and will be discussed with Salford City Council and others.”

(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

The Barton Lane incident was not the only Greater Manchester bus bridge strike this week, with a ‘training bus driven by a trainee driver’ hitting a rail bridge on Ten Acres Lane in Newton Heath on Tuesday (July 22). No passengers were onboard the vehicle at the time, and no one was injured, but the rail network was sent into chaos with cancelled trains.

The incidents have led mayor Andy Burnham to commission Mr Everitt to produce ‘an urgent report, to be returned to him next week’ that examines ‘the full circumstances around the Barton bridge strike and make recommendations about wider implications for safety on the network’.

In due course, there also ‘will be the further development of a Bee Network safety standard, as part of our long-term Vision Zero strategy and plan to eliminate death and serious injuries on the city region’s roads’, Mr Everitt added.