In March 2021 our Newsletter carried an item headed 'Sandfield Road Progress?' - the latest in a long line of similar articles and emails dating back to 2004 and beyond. It reported that the black-and-white Listed Building (28a-d Gateacre Brow) on the corner of Sandfield Road, was being hit by turning lorries, whose drivers failed to take account of the overhang. It also reported that meetings had taken place with Council officers, Travis Perkins managers and others to discuss possible solutions.
Travis Perkins have been extremely co-operative and helpful, implementing a 'lollipop' system whereby delivery vehicles are assisted by trained staff in making the turn and reversing along Sandfield Road. We have also, repeatedly, made a number of suggestions regarding the need for warning signs and realigned kerbs. Councillors and Highways officers assured us that they would come back with possible solutions - and Travis Perkins indicated that they'd be willing to contribute towards the cost.

Sadly, nothing at all seems to have happened since that time. There have been further collisions, and parts of the ornamental plasterwork on the first floor have started to fall away. One of the cast-iron bollards - placed on the corner many years ago at the suggestion of our Society - has recently been removed and its site cemented over. What is more, the owners of the offending vehicles have refused to accept liability for the damage to the building, despite the evidence of witnesses who took the registration numbers of the lorries involved.