'Oh Deere!' Shropshire villagers seek tractor driver who caused 'extensive damage' to ancient stone barn

Villagers in Middleton Priors near Bridgnorth say the driver of the “massive, green, John Deere tractor” swiped the barn earlier this month.

Despite leaving extensive damage, the driver left the scene.

One villager who didn't want to be named said: “On September 2,at 11am, a massive, green John Deere tractor pulling a long, empty, flatbed trailer careered around the blind, hairpin bend outside our cottage at such speed that it collided with the corner of the barn next door, causing extensive damage, before leaving the scene without stopping.

“Unusually and thankfully, no one was outside or on the road at this time. Despite requesting information locally in Ditton Priors via leaflets and social media, no one has owned up or come forward, except local contracted tractor drivers, who thought it humorous to joke about it on social media.”

She added: “This tractor and trailer careered around the corner so fast, it collided with the corner of our neighbour's stone barn and sent large stones and boulders spinning across our driveway and down the road, which he then drove over in order to get away.

“Further down the hill, he forced a van driver off the road to avoid another collision. The van driver was able to give us a description of the vehicle, but not the registration, so the police were unable to get involved.”

She said the barn is thought to be more than 200 years old.

“The barn forms part of the old school house, now called St. Mary's House, originally a Catholic school dating back to the 1700's. Although it is generally clipped once or twice a year, usually by articulated lorries from Europe who fail to add 'truck' to their Satnav directions, the drivers edge carefully past and almost always do the decent thing and give contact details and insurance.

“This however, was different. The damage was extensive and due to the age of the barn, it will need specialists to strengthen and restructure it. Undoubtedly, the road will need to be closed, causing inconvenience to local people, delivery drivers and indeed farmers.

“The most disappointing thing about all of this, is that the driver would have been contracted by a local farmer. Someone who lives among us but is too cowardly to own up to their part in this. Social media and fliers asking for information only provided a stage for local tractor drivers to waste time and suggest each other as responsible, apparently for fun. A sad indictment for our local young farmers.

“On this occasion, thankfully, no one was outside when this happened. But whose child, or family member will it be who is unlucky enough to be in the way when this happens again?

“In the meantime, there is an elderly person next door who has to try and deal with the consequences of these cowardly acts by two local people who are more interested in saving their own pockets and reputations, than doing the decent thing and stepping forward, owning up and being held accountable for their actions. Shame on them.”

The resident added that Middleton Priors, a mile form Bridgnorth was a “quiet hamlet” but was suffering from heavy traffic.

The resident added: “Alarmingly, harvest time seems to have become a race - and not just to get the corn in before it rains. It is not unusual for tractors at this time to accelerate either up or down the hill, regardless of any other potential road user, or the fact that most of the bends are obscured by high banks and tall hedges, including the one outside.

“Houses which line the road are not considered. After all, there are no speed restrictions in Middleton Priors, so technically it is 60 miles an hour.”

West Mercia Police said they were investigating the incident and added anybody with information should contact Police Constable Nicholas Nolan by email [email protected]