Ipswich: Structural engineers assess damage after car strikes historic building - the Curson Lodge
A car crashed into the front of a building at the junction of St Nicolas Street and Silent Street Tuesday night. - Credit: Archant
STRUCTURAL engineers were last night assessing the damage to one of the town’s most historic buildings after a car smashed through its doors.
Emergency services were called to the junction of Silent Street and St Nicholas Street at 8.45pm yesterday where a car had ploughed into the entrance of Curson Lodge – one of the best-known landmarks.
Engineers were at the scene last night to determine whether the site is structurally sound after the car wiped out the large wooden pillar at the entrance to the Tudor building.
The building, which dates back to the 15th Century, is famed for being opposite the birthplace of Ipswich greatest son Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
The site, although currently vacant, was set to be handed over to a new owner today.
Speaking at the scene last night, Francis Street, who has owned the building for four years, said: “I’m heartbroken about it really.
“It is such an important and historic building for Ipswich. It has a historic past, dating back to 1472.
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“We were due to exchange contracts on the site tomorrow subject to planning permission.
“It has been empty since May but we have really put in a lot of work to keep it at its best because it is such an important site.
“We only decorated the site last week.”
Ambulance crews were called to the scene to assess the female driver and her passenger, who reported suffering from foot and back pain.
However, the extent of their injuries and details of whether they went to hospital were unknown.
