Ye Olde Bell and Steelyard’s historic weighbridge destroyed after being struck by lorry in Woodbridge

A lorry has crashed into the weighbridge of the Ye Olde Bell and Steelyard in Woodbridge - smashing the iconic grade one listed structure to pieces.

Police were called to the scene, in New Street, at round 7.15am this morning, Tuesday, April 10, to reports that a lorry had crashed into the historic structure.

A police spokeswoman said that they had now located and spoken to the driver who will be ‘interviewed for traffic related offences in due course’.

Hugh Thomas, tenant of the pub, said he was in bed when he heard what sounded like ‘a bomb going off’.

“It was a massive bang, it woke up half the street,” he said.

“The weighbridge that hangs over the road is gone. “It is hanging off the front of the building.

“There are only two of these weighbridges in the whole of the UK.

“Now there’s only one.

“It is completely demolished.

“They could have killed someone.

“It was lucky it happened early in the morning rather than at rush hour.

“I feel a bit numb, we have a lot of work to do now contacting the insurers.”

Mr Thomas added that the weighbridge has been struck by lorries three times last year but suffered no serious damage.

Police have closed New Street as the road is blocked by debris from the crash however the pub will be open as usual today, with patrons asked to use the garden entrance.

Traffic is being diverted through Chapel Street.

Caroline Page, Suffolk county councillor for Woodbridge, said: “That’s the most terrible and dreadful thing.

“Woodbridge is a living museum. There are remnants of the past of that have never come down.

“It’s a real tragedy”

Ms Page added that she was currently working on a 20 mile an hour traffic calming scheme for the town with the County Council which she hopes will avoid further incidents in the future.

If you witnessed the crash, call Suffolk police on 101.