Fallen

The scaffolding which was damaged by Storm Eunice on Friday was shored up with extra scaffolding to stop it collapsing further.  However, Storm Franklin had other ideas.  Sometime yesterday evening (I think) the scaffolding over the roof was torn off by the winds and blown across the road and was only prevented from being blown across the park by the trees on the edge of the park.  Apparently the fire brigade were called at around 7 this morning.  (I am surprised at the apparent gap between the scaffolding coming off and the fire brigade being called, but the reports are a little confusing).

Nobody was hurt, although apparently there was some damage to cars. The top floor residents have, I was told, been moved to hotels as there is no roof or protection on the building at the moment.  The second block in the background of my blip, which is undergoing similar building work, seems unaffected.  The tarpaulins were removed after Eunice to reduce risk of damage.  I think that block is not as far advanced in the building work, so still has the original roof in place.

Inevitably, the High Street was closed off again and is likely to remain so tomorrow, I guess.  The traffic is fairly chaotic as vehicles which pass the traffic light controlled road works at the north end pass the big hole in the ground from the road works to discover there is nowhere to go, and then try to turn round, getting mixed up with buses trying to exit the bus garage.  A real mess!

I don't think I have ever seen so many police officers in the town - standing at every possible road, path or park approach to the area to keep people away.  It will probably need a crane to lift off the remaining scaffolding safely.

The first extra shows the scaffolding on the other side of the road, leaning up against the trees on the edge of the park.  The second extra shows the view from the park.