Falling debris in Newquay came from partial collapse of railings, council confirms

Three people were injured on Fore Street, including two children

Author: Emma HartPublished 18th Aug 2022
Last updated 18th Aug 2022

It has emerged the partial collapse of railings was behind an incident on the main street in Newquay, which saw three people injured.

Emergency services were scrambled to Fore Street on Tuesday afternoon, as debris fell from the first floor parapet of a building,

A woman and a six-year-old boy suffered minor injuries, while a 10-year-old boy was taken to hospital with a fractured leg.

Cornwall Council does not own the building, but sent a surveyor to assess the scene after a request from Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service.

Emergency measures were put in place to make the area safe overnight, while the road was closed to traffic.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Cornwall Council said: "Following a request from Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service who were at the scene with Devon & Cornwall Police, a surveyor from Cornwall Council Building Control attended an incident in Fore Street Newquay yesterday evening (16 August), following a partial collapse of cast iron railings from the first-floor parapet of a building.

"An assessment was made of the remaining railings and emergency measures put in place to make the situation safe overnight.

"The lower end of Fore Street remains closed to traffic but is open to pedestrians.

"The Council is continuing investigations today and will be endeavouring to contact and liaise with the building owner(s) in order to agree ongoing measures that will allow the road to be re-opened to vehicles.

"The temporary road closure means that the Taxi rank and loading areas on the affected part of Fore Street are currently unavailable.

"The Council thanks local businesses and residents for their patience and assistance".

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