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'We want road safety.' West Norfolk resident slams police after driver who smashed into home offered course




A transport industry executive has slammed police after a driver whose car careered into his West Norfolk home was merely offered a place on a training course.

Difficulties in securing materials mean Alan Whittington has been unable to start rebuilding his house in Walpole St Peter following the incident in January.

Norfolk Police insisted this week that the case is under review.

Alan Whittington shows the width of the cracks in the front wall of his home (56773448)
Alan Whittington shows the width of the cracks in the front wall of his home (56773448)

But Mr Whittington, who fears the cost of rebuilding the property could exceed £100,000, believes its handling of the incident has not taken the impact on the lives of him and his partner into proper account.

He said the crash had prevented them from offering a room to a refugee fleeing the war in Ukraine.

He added: "This has wrecked our lives for four months. We still haven't started rebuilding. I just feel it's been so unjust."

The widith of the crack caused by the crash (56773455)
The widith of the crack caused by the crash (56773455)

The nightmare for Mr Whittington, who is president of the Institute of Transport Administration and runs his own consultancy business, began on the evening of January 7 when he heard a loud bang outside his home in Church Road.

A white Audi A3 had ploughed into the property, having already collided with a neighbouring house and a car on Mr Whittington's drive, which was written off as a result.

Emergency crews were called to the area and no-one was injured.

But the front of the house was moved an inch by the force of the impact and Mr Whittington was advised not to use his living room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom following the crash. He also cannot open his front door.

Alan Whittington's front door was smashed by the impact. (56773452)
Alan Whittington's front door was smashed by the impact. (56773452)

He was further incensed when police subsequently informed him that the driver involved, a young woman, would be offered a place on a safe and considerate driving course, with a fee of £185.

That decision was challenged, only for the force to write to him again last month, stating the case "met the criteria" for the driver to be offered a place on a different course, with a fee of only £95.

In documents seen by the Lynn News, police claimed the offer of a course was a "constructive and pragmatic intervention which is proven to contribute towards greater road safety".

A further email argued: "There were no injuries caused and ultimately this resulted in a damage only RTC and so recommending her for a driver improvement course is appropriate and reflects our mission to improve driver awareness and safety."

But Mr Whittington, who has raised the matter with both his MP, James Wild, and the county's police and crime commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie, said that was "lenient" and "unacceptable".

He said: "What she's got is the same as if I drove down King's Lynn High Street at 35 miles per hour [in a 30 zone].

"I don't want to put the girl down. I want road safety."

Formal complaints have also been submitted about the conduct of an individual officer who attended the scene.

A Norfolk Police spokesman told the Lynn News: “We are currently reviewing this case and will keep the victim updated on developments.”



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