The 20-metre stretch of thick brick wall, owned by Herts County Council, which was a boundary of the old magistrate’s court on Bancroft in Hitchin has fallen down in what the owner of next door’s antique shop, Jerome Phillips, said was a near catastrophe.

“It was very dangerous. It was very lucky it didn’t happen in office hours, the cars would have all been damaged and some person could have been injured or even killed.” Mr Phillips said.

“The council has had five years to put it right - they have been shown details of how the wall was bowing. They sent people round to do estimates but nothing actually happened. Well now it has finally fallen down.”

A spokesman at County Hall said they were looking into rebuilding the wall.

“Along with residents, we are keen to see this wall reinstated. We are currently seeking advice from North Herts District Council about what we can do in terms of repairs as the wall is in a conservation area and we are trying to establish whether it is listed,” she said.