'Something has got to be done' - Village reacts after farm trailer smashes into house

Reactions are in after an agricultural trailer pulled by a tractor crashed into the side of a house in a small Shropshire village.

People in Munslow were reportedly left stunned on Thursday (September 3) when they saw emergency services arrive in the village to deal with the chaotic aftermath of the collision.

Munslow is on the B4368 between Craven Arms and Bridgnorth.

The crash took place near the village's pub, the Crown Country Inn, and the settlement’s war memorial.

Images shared with the Shropshire Star shortly after the crash showed the trailer on its side, its contents spilled all over the road - thought to be maize - and significant damage to the small house involved.

West Mercia Police and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident.

Police confirmed there were no injuries and no arrests were made.

Following the crash, Richard Arnold, publican at the Crown Inn, and a Munslow Parish Council councillor, spoke to this newspaper about the impact of the crash on the village.

Asked if he could sum up the village’s general reaction to the incident, Mr Arnold said: “I’d like to say shock, but it is not really shock, because it has just been an accident waiting to happen.”

Some residents believe the crash could have been caused by the tractor driver’s excessive speed through the village up to the sharp bend where the incident occurred, it is understood.

However, there is no proof of this currently.

Mr Arnold said the police’s response to alleged speeding in the village has been "inconsistent" and “not enough”.

The councillor claimed that there have been similar close shaves to Thursday’s crash in the past.

This includes damage to plant pots on the village roadside near the war memorial, which were allegedly destroyed by traffic in recent years.

Although there were no reported injuries, the man whose house was damaged - who does not wish to speak on the record about the incident yet - was “shaken” by the crash, Mr Arnold said.

After Thursday’s crash, Mr Arnold said he and others in the village are now calling for action from West Mercia Police and Shropshire Council to restrict speeding in the settlement.

“Something has got to be done,” the parish councillor said.

Another Munslow resident, who wished to remain anonymous, echoed Mr Arnold’s concerns around speeding in the village and said the corner where the crash occurred “is extremely sharp and dangerous for large vehicles.”

In response to some of the comments, a Shropshire Council spokesperson said: “Shropshire Council takes road safety concerns seriously and regularly reviews speed limits and highway conditions across the county.

“The B4368 through Munslow is subject to a 30mph speed limit, which is clearly signed on the approaches to the village and reinforced by repeated signage.

“Warning signs are also provided to alert all road users to the bends through the village.

“Whilst we recognise the concerns raised, the circumstances of this particular incident are a matter for the police to establish.

“We will continue to work with West Mercia Police and consider whether any further measures are appropriate.”

The West Mercia Police Road Safety team said: “Enforcing the speed limit remains a key part of keeping our roads safe for everyone. We already have a speed enforcement site at Munslow and carry out regular checks there.

“Officers attended the site on August 16, where one driver was detected travelling at 35mph in the 30mph limit. On our previous visit, August 11, encouragingly no drivers were found to be exceeding the limit.

“Speed data collected between August 4-11 showed an 85th percentile speed of 26mph, indicating that most drivers are complying with the limit. We will continue to enforce at this location and monitor speeds periodically to ensure the road remains safe for all who use it.”