A century-old shelter built more than a century ago has been reduced to a pile of rubble after being hit by a street cleaner.
The Threepenny Shelter in River Walk, Tonbridge, took a tumble after being struck by the maintenance machine on Monday morning (July 28).
Its remains are now being cleared away and taken to storage where the local authority will carry out an assessment and decide what to do next.
The shelter was built in 1922 and was originally funded by workers constructing the riverside promenade, each contributing a penny toward its creation.
It was constructed with red brick pillars, a tiled pitched roof, and painted wooden seating, reflecting the style of early 20th-century civic architecture.
Structures like this were common in parks and along riversides at the time, designed to be durable, low-maintenance, and accessible to the public.
Its collapse next to the River Medway has prompted a sizeable reaction on social media with many residents calling for the shelter to be restored.
Several suggested it should be rebuilt exactly as it was, noting that photographs exist to support an accurate replica.
Others urged the council to seek funding through insurance rather than public money.
A spokesperson for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council said: “We understand the Penny Shelter holds local significance for some residents and has long served as a local landmark overlooking the river.
“However, at this stage it’s too early to say what will happen to it next.
“We’ll keep everyone updated as we know more.”
