Seconds from death – full horror of Hungerford car smash is revealed

Action on Hungerford traffic has been demanded after a video showed a woman and child narrowly avoiding almost certain death.

The two are seen standing outside Snippits barbers at 59 High Street seconds before a horrific smash at that very spot.

Just as they moved on, a vehicle ploughed into the premises on Tuesday afternoon, December 13, with such force that serious structural damage was caused.

The dramatic doorbell camera footage was screened at a full town council meeting on Tuesday.

Town mayor Helen Simpson said: "That footage is just harrowing."

High Street resident Helen Armstrong, who recorded the footage, told the meeting: "We'd be having a completely different conversation if that woman and child had been there a moment later.

"We need to ensure the safety of children; it's not just the top end of the High Street but the bottom end as well.

"We need to find a way of reducing the speed limit.

"My little girl doesn't sleep in her bedroom because it faces the High Street; I don't want her to be hit by a lorry."

Mrs Armstrong said a 'pinch point' or speed bumps should be introduced.

Another resident told the meeting: "I've had a number of near misses when walking with a pram and so many people are voicing concern.

"So where's the risk assessment and strategy?"

Chairman of the town council's highways and transport committee Nick Schlanker also raised the issue of the red telephone box restricting motorists' view and the lorries which regularly strike The Plume pub.

He added: "Someone drove into the chip shop recently; there's ridiculous amounts of speeding on the common.

"We need a strategy for the town; we've got a speeding problem and we need West Berkshire Council's help to fix it."

Town councillor Jerry Keates said lorries used the High Street as a "rat run" between other towns and said residents were "eternally frustrated" by a lack of action by the highways authority, West Berkshire Council.

The meeting was attended by the district council's service director for the environment Jon Winstanley, who thanked Mrs Armstrong for the footage.

But he warned expectations had to be tempered by the reality that the High Street was a trunk road and traffic must be kept flowing.

However, he said he would take the views of the town councillors and residents on board.

Meanwhile a spokesman for West Berkshire Council, Martin Dunscombe, said, following the collision pictured: "A lane closure along part of Hungerford High Street will remain in place for up to nine months (following the) collision which caused damage to buildings last month.

"Traffic lights are currently in place between Park Street and Atherton Crescent and will remain until it is safe to open both carriageways.

"It will take some time for a building's owner to complete the repairs to make it safe, so the traffic lights are expected to be in place for between six and nine months.

"We understand the inconvenience this is causing to people in the town. Unfortunately this is a situation which is out of our control, but we are grateful for your patience whilst this situation is resolved."