Bell and Crown, Salisbury: Pavement barricaded after lorry crash

Robert Daley, at the Bell and Crown on Catherine Street, said he put up the barriers to protect the public from falling debris.

At around 1am on Thursday, February 2, a Kingsmill lorry driver crashed into the side of the building while trying to turn in to Ivy Street.

The driver did not stop to leave his details and police are investigating the incident.

Barricaded pavement on Ivy Street outside the Bell and Crown. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Robert was sleeping in the upstairs room of the pub when he was woken up as the building "shook".

He said: "[The lorry] knocked the sign off and damaged the brickwork and windows.

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"While I was standing filming it I heard the windows and brickwork being pushed inwards."

Watch: Shocking footage of Kingsmill lorry crashing into the Bell and Crown

Robert barricaded the pavement with railings, tables and chairs but emphasised that it is not a seating area.

Concerns about access for disabled people were raised after a picture was posted on social media.

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"The main point is we're doing it for everyone else's safety," Robert added.

The barricade was put up as a temporary measure while Robert waits for his builders to sort out a permanent fix.

Robert Daley, landlord at the Bell and Crown. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

While the Journal spoke to Robert, a Wiltshire Council representative came into the pub to tell him he had to get rid of the tables and chairs, replace what he had put up with a suitable barrier with signage and suggested using 'black and yellow tape'.

This isn't the first time a lorry has attempted and failed to turn into Ivy Street from St John's Street, Robert said.

He added: "This is happening all the time. When lorries come round they are too big to turn the corner and a lot of them reverse back and go through town instead."

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Robert anticipates that repairing the listed building "is not going to be cheap" and is waiting for his insurance company to take a look at the damage.

Customers have come in to question him about the barricade, Robert said: "Everyone's been really nice about it, they just want to know what's going on."

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “We are investigating reports of a lorry damaging the outside of a pub on Catherine Street, Salisbury in the early hours of Sunday (02/02).

"Residents of the flat above the Bell and Crown reported being woken around 1am to the building shaking. A lorry was seen trying to pass, leaving behind damage to the brick work, as well as a wooden sign.

"The driver did not stop to leave his details.”

A Kingsmill spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of a potential incident involving one of our delivery vehicles in Salisbury.

"As this matter is now being reviewed by the police we are unable to comment further, other than to confirm that we will assist them fully with their investigation.”

Councillor Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Following the accident a council officer attended the property on Tuesday 7 February and advised that the tables, chairs and barriers being used to prevent the public from falling debris should be removed as soon as possible.

"These should be replaced with suitable barriers and signage until works can be undertaken to rectify the damage. Officers are available to provide additional advice should this be necessary. ”