‘Safety has to come first’: Banbury road remains closed after scaffolding collapse that injured two workers
Oxfordshire County Council’s highways chief and the police have issued an update on a road closure following a scaffolding collapse at a Banbury building site that left two construction workers in hospital with serious injuries.
Cherwell Street, between the junctions with George Street and the junction with Bridge Street, has been closed to traffic since Wednesday afternoon (October 21).
One worker suffered head and leg injuries, while the other sustained what South Central Ambulance Service described as “severe injuries”.
Nine workers were at the site at the time of the incident.
The closure has caused slow-moving traffic and delays across Banbury town centre as drivers use alternative routes.
Oxfordshire County Council’s highways chief, Cllr Gareth Epps, visited the site today (Friday, October 23) and warned that the road could remain closed for much of the weekend.
He said: “There are two people who are very poorly and our thoughts have got to be with them, and we hope they make a full recovery.
“We think that because of concerns about the structure of the building and the winds that are starting now, for safety reasons the road will stay closed for the rest of today.
“I don’t know what the situation is tomorrow, but due to the strong winds forecast, it wouldn’t surprise me if the road remains closed then as well.
“I’m just being realistic and safety has to come first and foremost. We don’t know what has happened with the building and there can’t be any risks, given how busy that road gets.”
Cllr Epps said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was investigating the collapse and urged people to follow traffic alerts for updates on the road closure.
He added: “The authorities have got to work out what happened and why two workers didn’t get home safe on Wednesday night.”
The HSE, the UK’s regulator for workplace health and safety, confirmed it visited the site on Thursday.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of this incident and an investigation is underway.”
Thames Valley Police said the road closure was necessary due to the risk of further collapse and strong winds.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We are managing the scene and road closure, which is necessary for the safety of those dealing with the incident and the general public, particularly due to the risk of further collapse and high winds.
“We understand the impact this is having on the community so we are regularly reviewing the closure alongside our partners and updates will be provided as soon as possible.”
The site, formerly a car sales garage next to a Morrisons petrol station, is understood to be undergoing redevelopment into apartments.