Repairs to youth club hit by lorry 'to start soon'

The lorry had crashed into a railway bridge and parked vehicles, before it demolished the youth club wall, early on 28 April

Repairs to a youth centre, which closed after a lorry crashed into it seven months ago, will get under way soon. a council says.

The HGV crashed into parked vehicles, a railway bridge before hit the youth club building in Ludlow, in the early hours of 28 April.

Shropshire Council, which owns the building, said a surveyor's report had been completed and shared with its insurer, and a loss adjuster review was under way.

"Following this, it's anticipated that the insurance claim will be settled, with repair work then able to begin," the authority added.

The damaged wall of the building has been boarded up and cordoned off since the crash

The damage affected systems including the fire alarm and electrical distribution, and as a result, most of the community and family hub services held there were moved to Helena Lane Community Centre.

"Unfortunately, until repair work is completed it just isn't safe to occupy and we can't allow access to the building until the damaged fire alarm and electrics are restored and certified," said Andy Hall, cabinet member for children and education.

"We fully appreciate that this is a frustrating situation; however, we're close to agreeing and progressing the repair works with the loss adjuster.

"However, I want to assure people that this is being treated as a priority, and we're urgently chasing the insurer."