Sandiacre Library is set to be partially demolished around a car which was crashed into it at the weekend, became wedged, threatening the safety and future of the property. Props have been put into place for the time being to make the building as safe as possible.
A 34 year old was arrested on driving offences but subsequently released under investigation, after a Mini smashed into a wall at the site off Doncaster Avenue and Albert Road and coming to a stop completely inside the building at around 7:30am on Sunday 30th October. The driver has not yet been formally named nor his place of residence released. There were no reports of any injuries according to a statement from Derbyshire Police.
In the aftermath, structural engineers began working to assess the extent of the damage, part of the front wall having been completely destroyed and with bricks and debris strewn around the area. Although the road remained open, emergency crews remained at the scene for some time and put a cordon into place in the interests of public safety. A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council initially said that the car was likely to remain inside whilst work continued to determine the extent to which it was safe to bring it out, with engineers then reportedly reluctant, at least initially as surveys continued.
Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang at the time of the incident during breakfast time, whilst the library manager Helen Sunter received a call reporting that the site alarm had been triggered but had expected the cause to be far more trivial. Helen said: "Because I knew the alarm was going off, I knew the Police had been called, but I didn't know that I was going to find a car parked inside the library, so, yes it was shock!. The reason why they haven't got the car out now is because they are afraid that the wall is going to fall down completely and, not just the wall, it is the roof as well."
Service Delivery Manager for Derbyshire County Council, Sue Jackson, said that the sight of the car embedded in the building had left her feeling shocked, having thought that the scene would not have been as bad as it was discovered to be. She said: "The car had gone through the library wall and actually ended up inside the library"
Scores of community groups which use the library for activities along with those who borrow books from the site, now face disruption and even relocation. However, Sue also said that whilst the building remained closed, all items that were currently out on loan would be automatically renewed to avoid holders incurring charges.
A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson more recently said: "We will be replacing the temporary safety barriers with full-boarded hoardings and there will also be security on site overnight. The car is still in the building and will remain there while a controlled demolition of the damaged section of the building is carried out as moving the car wouldn't be safe."