FIFTH car crashes into garden in the space of two years (From Evesham Journal)

FIFTH car crashes into garden in the space of two years

11:10am Thursday 19th July 2012 in News

AFTER witnessing five cars smash into his front garden in less than two years, a Bretforton resident has asked if someone will have to die before anything is done.

Tom Wardle has lived on Main Street in the village near Evesham since 1994 but in the past 22 months he has seen five cars lose control, smash through his front wall and end up in his front garden.

“It is only a matter of time before someone gets really seriously hurt or killed,” said Mr Wardle, whose house is in a 30mph zone. “I have counted 16 accidents along the Bretforton Road onto Main Street since September 2010.

“It would appear the road surface has become so worn that as soon as it starts to rain the grip level of the surface decreases dramatically. There will be an accident here where a child gets killed. That’s my big fear.”

The first accident happened at Mr Wardle’s property in Main Street on September 29, 2010.

The following year saw three smashes, with the first on April 4, the second on August 4 and then just three weeks later on August 26 another car careered into the garden. The most recent crash happened on Wednesday, July 4, this year.

He added: “After the last crash I was almost suicidal.

“We need some action. We can’t sleep, I have grandchildren who come to visit us. I am afraid when I walk that bit of road with my dogs.”

The stretch of road approaching the village is currently a 50mph zone which changes into a 40mph zone before the village to act as a buffer.

Jon Fraser, customer and community manager at Worcestershire County Council, said: “The carriageway surface in this location was inspected last year by a highways team and no issues were found which could have contributed to any accidents.

However, in light of concerns raised, we will inspect the area again.”