Car Smash Leaves Shalford Cottage Badly Damaged

Published on: 17 Aug, 2021
Updated on: 22 Aug, 2021

Cracks radiate from the hole left by car’s collision.

By Cecilia Taylor

A car smashed into a Shalford cottage on Monday morning (August 16) causing structural damage.

The incident occurred when the car, which was being driven on the A281 northwards towards Guildford, left the road. The cause of the collision is unknown. No other damaged vehicles were observed.

Witnesses said the driver was an elderly man who was seen to walk away, having extricated himself with some difficulty, from the wrecked car.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene and Mill Lane was closed for several hours while the vehicle was recovered.

A neighbour said she heard a loud bang at around 10.15am and was astonished to find a car sandwiched into the front of the house next door. Both airbags had been deployed but no other cars or persons appear to have been involved.

The cottage before the accident. Google Street View

The accident happened on the corner of the entrance to the 18th century Shalford Mill, a listed National Trust property. Structural cracks can be observed reaching from the bottom of the house as far as one of the upstairs windows.

Mill Cottages, originating from the 16th century, form a short terrace of timber-framed, Grade II listed cottages in Shalford village’s historical centre opposite The Seahorse public house.

Update August 18: A structural survey has been carried out and initial temporary remedial work has taken place to make the building safe. Some further work should be completed tomorrow. The temporary works will remain in place until the final building repairs can be carried out.