Shrewsbury lorry crash: Transport bosses visit site to discuss safety measures

The Bayston Hill[1] community was in shock on Monday morning after the HGV ploughed through[2] the Three Fishes pub and a building next to Hong Kong City takeaway, leaving huge holes in the brickwork in a trail of destruction. The lorry driver broke his leg in the incident, but nobody else was hurt.  However, the family from the takeaway "lost everything", prompting a fundraiser to be set up for them - it has raised more than GBP4,300 so far.

And the crash has caused a headache for Black Country Ales, who only bought the pub a matter of days before the crash. Now transport leaders have visited the site of the collision to see it for themselves, and discuss safety concerns with the local community, who this week told the Shropshire Star[3]: "We've said for years that this will happen."

Julia Buckley MP (second left) welcomed transport bosses to Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury's Labour MP Julia Buckley said: "I welcomed Victoria Lazenby, regional director for Operations Midlands, and Joseph Walmsley, route manager for Shropshire, Herefordshire, Telford and Wrekin at National Highways to Bayston Hill. "They spoke to Councillor Mark Underwood, from Bayston Hill Parish Council, and myself about the accident that occurred on the A49 at Hereford Road this week that damaged Hong Kong City and The Three Fishes.

"We spoke about the current diversions in place and next steps. 

"I have suggested conducting a traffic survey in Bayston Hill to gather residents' feedback on traffic issues and the possibility of installing additional 30mph signs, or ones that include activated technology.

"National Highways will outline their action plan for addressing traffic and safety issues once investigations have been completed."

References

1. ^ Bayston Hill (www.shropshirestar.com)
2. ^ HGV ploughed through (www.shropshirestar.com)
3. ^ this week told the Shropshire Star (www.shropshirestar.com)