A lorry driver crashed into a Leeds pub twice after getting stuck, causing visible shaking and prompting safety concerns.
The driver backed into the pub’s function room. Villagers saw it all happen from outside and yelled at him as he tried to move. This incident made people talk about the HGV ban and the need for a new road.
Jason and Debbie Tharp own the pub. They must wait for a damage assessment. Debbie said the road closed without warning, which is common when fixing water leaks. The lorry showed up around 11:30 am.
People fixing up after a show saw the lorry and shouted for him to stop backing up. He hit the Haybarn building twice; the second hit was harder than the first one. A CCTV camera got knocked out too.
The driver was very sorry about the damage and gave them all of his contact information. Debbie said the driver seemed like a good person. A crack goes down the wall now, and they must see if they can still use the Haybarn.
Gary Cooke is a local council member, hoping the pub owners get paid for damages. He said this shows a long-standing issue as lorry drivers always ignore the weight restriction signs because the rules are not truly enforced.
Gary added that the roads cannot handle the traffic. A relief road would solve many of the traffic issues and might prevent similar accidents in the future. People have contacted South East Water for their comments.