Kentish Express Ashford & District
Bollard plan to stop more cars crashing into pub
Landlords say £200,000 worth of damage has been caused
Landlords have applied for planning permission to put up iron bollards around their pub to stop wayward vehicles careering into it.
Brian Davies took over the Swan Inn at Little Chart in January last year, but since then the grade 1 listed building has been struck twice by cars.
In November a car caused £100,000 worth of damage to the front of the pub, while in February Mr Davies and partner Roy O’Neill were awoken by an “almighty crash” after a van ploughed through the wall inches from where they slept.
Mr Davies said: “The pub is open, but it’s still split in two halves. We’ve had two cars crash into the building, then a pushbike hit at 30mph and smashed a load of pots outside.
“The bollards will be spaced out, so that unless a car drives straight on, it will hit the bollards first which will hopefully slow it down before it hits the building.” He said the bollards have been designed to match the historic design of the pub, while new bricks for the wall have also had to be found as they are no longer made.
Mr Davies said he estimates around £200,000 worth of damage has been caused to the pub and repairs are continuing.
Workmen arrived on site three weeks ago and will continue to repair the pub for the next six to eight weeks.
Meanwhile there have been efforts to bring in further measures to slow traffic on the bend around Swan Lane, which is already a 30mph zone.
Little Chart Parish Council has discussed the issue and Ashford MP Damian Green has also shown his support to find solutions for Mr Davies and Mr O’Neill.
The planning application calls for 16 Manchester-style cast iron bollards, connected with a chain, which will wrap around the front entrance in Swan Lane and into The Street.
To view the plans visit www. ashford.gov.uk and search for reference 17/00961/AS.