Local News · Devizes
Devizes Market Place bus shelter destroyed for second time in recent months
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A bus shelter in Devizes has been destroyed by a vehicle for the second time, prompting calls for a review of safety measures in the town centre.
A bus shelter in Devizes Market Place has been destroyed following a vehicle collision, leaving the town facing the prospect of another significant period without shelter for public transport users. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday, September 27.
Witnesses from the nearby Black Swan Hotel reported hearing a loud bang during the incident. Wiltshire Police have confirmed that officers attended the scene and the crash is believed to have been caused by a medical episode. Police have stated the incident is not being treated as suspicious, and there were no reports of serious injuries.
The destruction of the shelter comes as a significant frustration for the local community, as the structure had only recently been replaced following a previous collision. The process to restore the amenity took six months on the last occasion, sparking concerns regarding the timeline for repairs this time around.
Devizes Town councillor Iain Wallis acknowledged the inconvenience caused to residents and expressed hope that the replacement process could be expedited. He noted that the duration of the previous replacement was largely due to the difficulty in sourcing a like-for-like structure, an issue he expects to be less challenging this time.
"It will still be down to the insurance companies to agree liability and then accept a quotation for replacement," Cllr Wallis explained. "I do not expect it to happen immediately but would hope it will not take as long as last time."
The repeated damage to this specific shelter has prompted renewed calls for an assessment of road safety in the area. While Cllr Wallis highlighted that the circumstances surrounding the two recent crashes were different, he pointed to a wider pattern of incidents near the Market Place, including damage to bollards on the pedestrian island outside the Corn Exchange.
In response to these concerns, Cllr Wallis intends to formally request that Wiltshire Council's highways department conducts a survey of the location to determine if additional safety measures are required. He is currently submitting a highways improvement form to Devizes Town Council for formal consideration.
Source: Gazette & Herald — Devizes · View original