Lorry destroys traffic island memorial

A memorial in the centre of a Telford roundabout was destroyed when a 14-tonne lorry ploughed across the island today.

The lorry drove over the roundabout near Asda in Donnington and crashed into the memorial statue at about 6am.

The driver, a man in his 60s, is not believed to have been hurt in the incident in St Georges Road.

The Highways Agency was called to clear the truck and statue from the road, which remained open, at about 6.15am.

Denise Wakefield, from Telford police, said: "There was a report of a road traffic collision just after 6am this morning on St George's Road in Donnington.

"It was a single vehicle road traffic collision on the Granville Island. The statue has been completely destroyed."

Vicky Cotterell, spokeswoman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "Our environmental maintenance team are waiting for the police to carry out their own investigation before assessing the damage.

"It is a horse and cart sculpture, made from iron, and it is a one-off piece of art so the repairs will be a specialist job."

The company which owns the lorry, George H Kime & Co Ltd from Lincolnshire, did not wish to comment on the incident.

The memorial, sponsored by Taffs Fencing, is a one-off sculpture which was moved from Granville Country Park.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen the incident to call them with information on 0300 3333000.

By Jason Lavan