Van Crashes Outside Cheltenham School, Leaving Pedestrian Crossing Destroyed

Residents near Saint John’s C of E Primary School in Cheltenham were startled in the early hours of Wednesday, 5 August, when a van crashed outside the school grounds. The vehicle left Albion Street, mounting the pavement and severely damaging a pedestrian crossing adjacent to the school entrance.

The impact destroyed a post supporting the crossing lights, twisted metal railings into a heap, and caused serious damage to a brick wall marking the edge of the school site. The crash was described by witnesses as sounding like an explosion.

A section of pavement outside the school, which is currently closed for summer holidays, has been cordoned off, and the crossing remains out of use.

Remarkably, the driver emerged uninjured from the single-vehicle collision. Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed that police were called at approximately 3.45am following reports of the van mounting the pavement and colliding with railings and a wall on Albion Street. The van driver has been reported for driving without due care and attention, with enquiries still underway.

One local resident described the noise of the incident: “It sounded like an explosion. It was really loud and sounded like maybe it had been caused by a large car or maybe a lorry.”

Another nearby resident, though new to the area, noted that the damaged railings have been down previously, suggesting that the location may have been the site of previous accidents. He added it was fortunate the crash occurred while the school was closed.

This incident is the third of its kind in Cheltenham over just two months. Previously, on 4 June, a lorry crashed through a central reservation on Tewkesbury Road, and on 1 August, a car collided with metal fencing and parked e-scooters on Oriel Road.

Councillor Mark Harris, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, commented on the situation: “We are aware of the damaged pedestrian crossing in Albion Street, Cheltenham. Our contractors will be attending the site today to remove the damaged signal pole. This will allow us to reopen the footpath and install a temporary crossing until a new permanent signal pole is fitted. We expect the crossing to be fully repaired and operational by the end of next week.”