Hungerford High Street to remain closed over safety fears
West Berkshire council say repairs are needed to several buildings after a vehicle hit them
Last updated 15th Dec 2022
Hungerford High Street will remain closed while preliminary structural work is carried out to buildings to remove the risk of collapse.
Damage to the buildings was caused when a vehicle collided with them on Tuesday 13 December, and left them unsafe. As a result, the road has been closed to protect pedestrians and passing traffic.
A spokesperson for West Berkshire Council said:
"Following building inspections over the past 24 hours, remedial works are expected to begin early next week. Once completed successfully, this will allow a single carriageway to be opened on the opposite side of the road from the buildings with two-way traffic lights in place. Further work is required before an assessment can be made on when the road can be completely opened, as it will not be safe to allow traffic to pass immediately next to them. The road closure affects the High Street (A338) between Park Street and Atherton Crescent. The diversion route is available here.
"We appreciate that this will cause disruption to residents and businesses in Hungerford at a particularly busy time of the year. We would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding whilst this situation is resolved."
As the buildings are privately-owned, the Council is unable to make the buildings safe itself but they say they're liaising with the owners and their insurers where possible to ensure that the road may be reopened as quickly as possible.
Neighbouring residents and businesses have been made aware of the closure and are being kept informed.