Calls for 20mph speed restrictions have been renewed after a car crashed into a wall in a historic Sudbury street, narrowly avoiding a gas main.

The incident happened in Friars Street on Wednesday around 9.15pm when the 18-year-old driver of a Citroen Saxo clipped the kerb and spun into a wall on the opposite side of the road, knocking it down.

Three fire crews were called to the scene amid fears of a possible gas leak, and police closed the road for an hour.

People living in the street say it was “extremely lucky” that no-one was hurt as the car mounted the narrow pavement.

Police confirmed that a collision report had been completed and the circumstances of the crash were being reviewed.

Patrick Crew, who lives next door to the property that was hit, said: “We have been warning that something like this could happen.

“It was pure luck that no one was hurt and that the house, or other properties were not damaged further.

“It was extremely lucky that no-one was walking on the pavement or riding a bike on the road at the time.”

Sudbury Town Council has been pushing the county council to introduce 20mph speed restrictions throughout the town centre.

Peter Gray, deputy chairman of the council’s highways committee, said: “None of our roads are suitable for speed as many of them are lined with medieval buildings so we will continue to push the county council for 20mph zones.”

Council member, Lesley Ford Platt, has been behind the push to get 20mph zones extended around schools – especially near St Gregory’s Primary School, which is at the bottom of Friars Street at the Church Street end.

She said: “If this recent accident had occurred during the day in school time, it could have been a disaster. It outlines why we urgently need more effective speed restrictions in the town centre.”