Newbury Street – a history of crashes

Descending down Newbury Street in Whitchurch has always been 'dodgy' but until recently I hadn't realised just how many serious incidents had occurred.

I had read recent Police Reports that referred to incidents of a fairly minor nature, and as a pedestrian I was already accustomed to contending with vehicles – cars, lorries, buses and tractors – regularly mounting the narrow pavements and even hearing of wing mirrors hitting people.
 
An increase in traffic levels, vehicle size and more on-road parking, along with the blind bends, have only made matters worse. Buses presently no longer use the hill but other large vehicles still put lives at risk.

Whitchurch Nostalgia
But it was the recent creation of the excellent Whitchurch Nostalgia page on Facebook which raised my awareness to another level.

I already knew of the car driver who recently lost control descending Newbury Street, left the road and completely snapped one of the cast iron bollards at the Zebra crossing. It was more by luck than judgement this wasn't a family wanting to cross the road. It was not an isolated case though, as other bollards that protect pedestrians have also been knocked down.

I also knew of the cyclist of some years back whose brakes failed on the hill, then went hurtling across the roundabout and through the shop window of what is now Velvet Rose. Roads were closed for what was a serious and reportedly bloody injury with the rider lucky to survive with their life.

But this new Facebook page has shown that the hill has earlier histories of dangers too.

Right: Lorry hits shop front with fatality.

What I didn't know was about the lorry driver who lost control  in 1952, or was it '53, and almost demolished what is now Payne's Printers as they embedded their vehicle into the shop's frontage.
This reportedly resulted not just in injury and damage, but also in the tragic fatality of the passenger. Was this the first road related death caused by the Newbury Street hill?

Left: Driver loses control. 

Then there was the driver of a saloon car who, in 1982, crashed into the front of what was Culley's shop, now occupied by solicitors Barker, Son and Isherwood – a horrific experience for the staff working there at the time. The vehicle ended up on its side, the road closed and staff had to be evacuated.

But it was reading of a bus that caused most concern.

Right: Bus wedged across Newbury Street.

 The driver lost control on a slippery winter's road, and the Hants and Dorset single decker slewed right across the carriageway only narrowly missing turning over.
It finally became wedged between the buildings on both sides of the road just below Laundry Yard. For any passengers it must have been a stomach-churning experience and it was probably more by luck than judgement that multiple fatalities did not occur.

But these are not the only incidents to have occurred – there have been many others. A few years back Hampshire County Council recognised the dangers of this hill and apparently put down an anti-skid surface. They also placed a large sign to warn drivers of the risk of slipping. Due to the parking, it is not uncommon to meet vehicles on the wrong side of the road and a resultant head on collision could be horrendous.
That sign, remains to this day.

Left: Warnings in place today.

With several topical discussions taking place on 1) a proposed new Business Park on land at the top of the hill; 2) the revised bus route through the town, and 3) the increase in HGVs in Whitchurch, is the Real Question  – should ANY large vehicles use Newbury Street?
Maybe not close it, but perhaps a weight/size restriction?

Food for Thought?


Note:
Some of the pictures here have come from the Whitchurch Nostalgia Facebook site. It is hoped that is acceptable – apologies if not. Acknowledgements can be provided if photographers wish.
Meanwhile visit that excellent resource here:
WHITCHURCHHANTSNOSTALGIA

and also now...

WHITCHURCH HISTORY SOCIETY