Workmen clear scaffolding from the road after it was brought down in Axminster town centre. Photo by Chris Carson

Axminster councillor says only luck saved shoppers when a juggernaut brought down scaffolding

The lorry which apparently clipped scaffolding in Axminster town centre. Photo by Chris Carson

Highways chiefs are being urged to carry out an urgent traffic survey in Axminster before someone is killed.

The call comes after a giant lorry recently brought down scaffolding outside Trinity House Home in Style shop, in Victoria Place, as it tried to make its way around the narrow bend.

Eye witnesses said it was a miracle no one was killed as the heavy metal poles crashed onto the pavement and into the road.

Speaking during the public forum session of this week’s town council meeting pensioner Ken Gray said it was another reason to ban juggernauts from the town centre.

He said signs should be put up at Kilmington Cross telling lorry drivers to use the bypass unless they were delivering to premises in the town.

Mayor Andrew Moulding assured him the council had now allocated money to pay for a detailed traffic management survey and his deputy Jeremy Walden said they should write to the county council urging them to make it a priority.

“We should say it was only luck that no one was killed when the scaffolding came down,” he said.

“We should tell them of our concerns about their tardiness and try to get further up the priority list.”