Residents say 'we warned this would happen' after HGV hits parked cars
8:00am Wednesday 26th September 2012 in Latest News By Matthew Edwards
Two cars and a lorry were involved in an accident in the High Street, Cricklade
A BIZARRE incident which saw a large lorry crash into two parked cars has highlighted Cricklade residents safety concerns over heavy goods vehicles in the town.
The incident happened yesterday lunchtime when the lorry, which was carrying two large skips, dislodged the two vehicles from their parking spaces and pushed them down the road, blocking access to the High Street between Calcutt Street and the B4040.
The cause of the collision is not yet known, but both the blue Alfa Romeo and blue Vauxhall Zafira were left badly damaged and blocked the road for several hours.
No one was injured in the crash, but it has sparked fresh concern from residents about the number of HGVs that use the narrow High Street.
Bob Jones, chairman of the Cricklade Business Association, helped ease the congestion as he donned a hi-vis vest and stood on the roundabout at the junction with Calcutt Street diverting traffic.
“I was dropping my wife off at the bank and I just heard an almighty crunch,” he said. “The truck had only just come past me and as far as I know collided with the two parked cars.
“Recently we have carried out surveys regarding the number of HGVs going through Cricklade.
“It is of great concern to people living here and is a great concern to the businesses.
“This is something that has been coming and it is just a relief that nobody was in the car, or they could have been badly hurt.
“The town council is aware of our concerns and I think this just highlights them.”
Patricia Woods was walking past shortly after the collision happened and said it was the second time she had seen a parked car hit in the High Street.
She said: “This is not the first time I have seen one of these large lorries cause an accident.
“It is dangerous, especially because there are a lot of elderly residents in Cricklade, and these big lorries rattle and shake the place when they come through.
“I think something needs to be done to put a stop to it, so they can find an alternative route.”
Wiltshire Police are investigating what happened and anyone with any information should call 101.
Comments(14)
PaulD
says...
8:53am Wed 26 Sep 12
swindondad
says...
9:05am Wed 26 Sep 12
If a driver is in colition with any stationary object it is his fault, however an badly parked vehicle could be a contributary / mitigating factor.
Hows that for evenhanded.
AndySN3
says...
9:20am Wed 26 Sep 12
How do these people think that food and drink etc is delivered to their local shops and pubs??
HGV driver's are already subject to ongoing training, so perhaps the council should instead start to look at how their towns are laid out, and if it is they that cause these problems by deliberately making roads narrower and "vehicle unfriendly" rather than blaming HGV driver's. Just a thought!
RichardR1
says...
9:49am Wed 26 Sep 12
That said if the lorry driver was in any doubt he should have stopped. If he thought it was OK then perhaps an eye test might be in order.
PaulD
says...
9:55am Wed 26 Sep 12
original harlequin
says...
9:58am Wed 26 Sep 12
Primarily speed - many drivers car, lorries and local residence exceed the 20mph manditary speed limit.
Also the level of driving within Cricklade is absolutely appauling; double parking, sudden stopping and turning without warning.
There is a general disregard for both the law and safety on the roads within Cricklade.
Unless someone does something urgently there will be a fatality, most likely an innocent predestrian crossing the road on a zebra crossing.
Robh
says...
10:02am Wed 26 Sep 12
rmc001
says...
1:10pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Perhaps as a temporary measure there should be yellow lines with a minimum waiting time down the high street? That way there would be no need for the delivery vans to have to double park. Other towns don't allow cars to park along the high street, why is this one different?
Trend
says...
1:27pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Robh
says...
3:44pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Most lorries, sorry all lorries have brakes or is this driver one of the plonkers who rarely uses them and would sooner sound their horn instead.
itsamess3
says...
6:31pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Second car is clearly blocking the road whilst parked on double yellows.
Well spotted bob--the photo demonstrates that perfectly.
"I have to say having visited this town on many occasions car drivers do tend to just abandon their vehicles in the oddest of places"
Trend
says...
8:58pm Wed 26 Sep 12
some-kid
says...
10:36pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Perhaps ban vehicles from parking on the high street except for unloading deliveries?
mrchickenman says...
8:43am Wed 26 Sep 12