A road is partially closed in Baldock after a vehicle crashed into one of the oldest buildings in the town.
Emergency services were called to Baldock town centre after a collision between a Ford van and a Mercedes-Benz car at about 10am this morning, causing damage to a beam which supports the first floor of Raban Court.
The building – which is situated at the corner of Royston Road and Station Road – was originally used as an inn for travellers, but is now in the hands of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
Both Hertfordshire Highways and its building control team are on the scene, and part of Royston Road, as well as the pavement alongside the building, has been closed.
Raban Court – which dates back to the 1540s – stands opposite Grade II-listed building, The Maltings, which was damaged by a tractor blaze in August 2014.
Onlooker David Wilson said: “It’s lucky that the van wasn’t going at a higher speed. If that beam had been knocked over it could have been a lot worse.”
A fellow onlooker said: “The maintenance team were on the scene very quickly and the building has been secured.
“The building is very close to the road so maybe its not so surprising that this happened.”
There were no reported injuries at the scene.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here