Newark son's call for safety improvements on Windsor Avenue after suspected drink-driver crashes through garden wall

A son is pleading for safety improvements on the road where he and his father live after a car ploughed through their garden wall.

James Murphy said he and father Eamonn, 78, were shaken after the incident on Windsor Avenue, Newark, on Monday evening.

“I’m not very good to be honest and neither is my dad,” said James.

“The driver crashed through the front garden and missed my car by a few inches and the house by a metre — the driver’s car is a total write-off.

“The bonnet is crushed, both sets of tyres were punctured, he ripped off the garden gate which was dragged under the car — it really is unbelievable he got up and walked away. It could have been a lot worse.”

Next door to James will also have to have their wall rebuilt as the car also ploughed through theirs.

James said it was only a matter of time until something happened, with motorists coming around the corner of Windsor Avenue at speed.

He is now calling for speed bumps in the area in a bid to slow people down and more street lights to improve visibility.

“We need some kind of speed bumps in the area and more street lighting,” James said. “There was also that kid who got knocked over on Eton Avenue a few weeks ago, so something has to be done.

“We were going to have some work done on the house but we can’t do that now this has happened — the whole of the front lawn is wrecked.

“We’ve cleared part of the mess up and thanks to the firefighters who helped move the bricks.”

Nottinghamshire Police said a 43-year-old suspected drink-driver had been arrested.

He was charged with failing to provide a breath specimen and assaulting a police officer while in custody, and will appear at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on February 23.

Sergeant Hannah Meadows, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Anyone who fails to provide an evidential specimen can expect to be put before the courts.

“Likewise, those who assault frontline emergency service workers, who work tirelessly to serve and protect the public, can also expect a robust response from the force.

“All emergency service workers have the right to go about their duties without being assaulted. The force and its partners have made it clear this type of behaviour won’t be tolerated.”

Gary Wood, head of highways and transport at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We’re sorry to see that a wall has been knocked down. There is not a history of any injury accidents at this site, however, we are always willing to listen to and consider any concerns residents may have.

“We work with police who lead on any investigations to determine the circumstances of collisions on our roads. Once concluded, any findings will be discussed with our safer highways team who will action any recommendations or carry out a further investigation as necessary.”