Call to action after Sheffield cafe front is destroyed by two vehicle crashes in four years

Sheri Haslehurst, the owner of the small business at 51-53 Baslow Road, Totley, was forced to close shop on both occasions after substantial damage was caused to the building.

The cost of both incidents – the first of which was in July 2018 and the second in December 2022 – is estimated to be around £60,000.

Deborah Leonard, who witnessed the second incident, launched a petition calling on the council to take preventative measures to stop a third tragedy.

She said: “[The incidents caused] upset and stress to both Ms Haslehurst and her employees, resulting in loss of income and custom.

“The pavement directly in front of the shop has no raised kerb edge whatsoever, providing no resilience to out of control vehicles.

“Had bollards been installed as a target hardening measure after the first incident it is highly unlikely the most recent incident would have occurred.

“I witnessed the total devastation caused. Moments later I spoke with the shop owner, Ms Haslehurst, and saw the terrible impact this incident had on her personally.

“It is a miracle nobody was killed or seriously injured. This petition is about keeping our communities safe and members of the public safe which is of paramount importance as well as looking after people’s livelihoods and businesses.”

Dore and Totley councillor Joe Otten said he had arranged for highways officers to visit the scene and find options for protecting the cafe from vehicles.

He said: “It is appalling that this has happened again after no action was taken last time, and we are very lucky nobody was seriously hurt. I’d encourage everyone to sign the petition.”

At the time of writing, 38 people have signed the petition.

The petition will run until February 28 on the council’s website here.