[21
DEC 99] SPON END FORUM PRESS RELEASE
Lorry Hits SkyDome After Local Safety Concerns
Today a lorry struck the SkyDome Coventry
building in Spon Street causing extensive damage.
The lorry struck the canopy over the entrance to
Bonds Bar showering the street with glass and causing severe
structural damage to the brickwork (a 3 metre crack in the frontage of
the building).
The accident follows a string of concerns about
the state of the street and safety to both pedestrians and listed
buildings in the 'Mediaeval Street'.
The two million pound refurbishment of
Spon Street has involved the removal of deep granite kerbs.
Conservation groups such as the Spon End Building Preservation Trust
claim that this has not only been detrimental to the character of the
street but has put many of the overhanging mediaeval buildings at risk
from passing vehicles.
There are also concerns about the
safety of pedestrians now that there is no clear definition between
road and pedestrian pavement. Community groups in the area recently
claimed that pedestrians are being forced to walk down the centre of
the road as cars are now parking on pavements.
Kevin Noble of the Building Preservation Trust
said:
"The situation down there is
quite chaotic, the whole scheme has been poorly thought out and has
in fact damaged the character of the street.
"The recent collision with the
SkyDome building worries us greatly as we know that listed buildings
such as the Old Windmill have also been struck by vehicles. There is
of course also a danger to pedestrians."
The Spon End Forum, representing around 12
groups in the Spon End area has also been critical of the scheme. They
are angry that two million pounds have been spent on Spon Street
within the ring road whilst the section of Spon Street outside the
ring road has had no investment.
Also plans to refurbish the subway have come to
little as much of the hundred thousand pounds promised has evaporated.
MORE INFORMATION:
Kevin Noble, Spon End
Building Preservation Trust
Colin Walker, Spon End
Forum
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