Veolia bin lorry mounts pavement and almost hits pedestrians in …
Dashcam footage shows the shocking moment a bin lorry mounted a kerb after taking a corner too quickly – and almost hit children on the path.
The Veolia truck was driving along Moat Sole in Sandwich[1] before turning into Cattle Market when its back wheel cut across the pavement metres from pedestrians.
Driver Trevor Wilkins captured the “horrendous” moment as he was driving past the Guildhall with his wife on Friday morning.
The 66-year old from Ash said: “I was going about 14mph and the lorry just came hurtling around the corner, well over the middle of the road, and the back wheel went up on the pavement.
“There were two or three pedestrians just walking on the path – maybe another few seconds and it could have been a different story.
“As the lorry swung round the corner I had to stop because it looked like It was heading straight to me.
“I was quite shocked. My wife was in the car and we looked at each other, saying it was horrendous.”
Mr Wilkins says the corner is “dangerous” and there used to be a bollard preventing people going over the kerb.
“That corner is a problem,” he said. “There used to be a bollard there but they removed it for whatever reason.
“It’s a dangerous corner so maybe they should put it back.
“It’s very narrow there too, and it’s quite a busy junction.”
Veolia carries out collections for Dover District Council (DDC) and Folkestone and Hythe District Council.
A spokesperson from DDC said: “We expect everyone working for/on behalf of the council, like all road users, to drive and behave safely and responsibly.”
They added the council is “discussing this matter” with Veolia.
It is not the first time the safety of roads in that part of Sandwich have been brought into question.
Just around the corner from where the incident happened, residents have called for a bus stop to be moved amid concerns its new location is "extremely dangerous".[2]
The pull-in previously used by buses outside Guildhall Square was tarmacked over, moved onto the carriageway and extended a few metres up the road as part of £1 million regeneration plans.
It was designed to ease congestion on the busy stretch - but motorists say it has only made the situation worse as they are now regularly stuck in gridlock.
A Veolia spokesperson said: ”Veolia expects high standards of all of its drivers and investigates any issues raised thoroughly.
"The safety of our staff and the communities we serve is always our highest priority and this matter is currently subject to an internal investigation in line with our company's procedures."
References
- ^ Sandwich (www.kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ concerns its new location is "extremely dangerous". (www.kentonline.co.uk)