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Car drives into a pub - road is closed for public safety



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Published Date: 18 August 2008
Customers and staff at the Waggon and Horses pub in Eaton Socon had a narrow escape when a Toyota 4X4 ploughed into the side of the 18th century building, demolishing a wall and causing extensive structural damage.
After the incident, on Sunday, August 17 at about 9.45pm, a large section of the Great North Road was immediately closed to traffic and diversions put in place. The road has remained closed this week.
Structural engineers from Huntingdonshire District Council arrived on the scene to assess the extent of the damage and ensure public safety.
Barmaid Shiralee Puleston, from Great Barford, said she was standing behind the bar when the crash occurred.

She said: "I heard a crash outside then all of a sudden bricks and chairs went flying as the wall caved inwards.
"It was absolutely shocking. Two customers were sitting at a table within a couple of feet of the impact. They were going to sit at a table directly in front of where the wall was hit, but luckily for them they changed their minds."

Miss Puleston said it appeared two vehicles were involved in the incident.
She added: "By about 11pm a structural engineer from Huntingdonshire District Council had arrived and the road was closed off very quickly."
One of the licensees of the pub Jeff Collins, who had been upstairs when the incident happened, said his first reaction was fear that someone had been killed.

He said: "I dashed downstairs with my heart in my mouth thinking that someone had been killed. I admit that I did scream at the drivers, but I was in total shock.
"The Waggon and Horses was originally three cottages built around 1720. As the building is so old we are lucky the upstairs floor didn't collapse. If the impact had been greater it probably would have."
Mr Collins, who has been the licensee of the popular local pub for the past three years, said he was just thankful that no-one had been hurt.
However, he insisted that something had to be done about the speed of traffic through the village at night.

He said: "Some nights from 10pm onwards cars are hurtling through at speeds of 60 or 70mph. It was only a matter of time before something happened."
Mr Collins added wryly: "I always welcome a few days off, but I could do without all this hassle."
A Huntingdonshire District Council spokesperson said the road would remain closed until the council's building control team were satisfied that public safety would not be compromised.

She said: "When the structural engineers looked at the damage they had no choice but to ask the county council to close the road.
"Remedial work is being carried out, but the road won't be re-opened until the building control manager is satisfied there is no danger. The safety of the public is paramount."

>> Kenneth Alexander, 33, from County Down, who was arrested at the scene, has been charged with drink driving and is bailed to appear at Huntingdon Magistrates Court on August 28.

The full article contains 521 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 20 August 2008 8:58 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Huntingdon
 
 

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