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1 year ago
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A widow whose husband killed himself after cars crashed into their home twice is living in fear after the council refused to install safety bollards.
Anyssa Neumann, 39, lies awake at night inside her Grade II-listed home in Bromley, south east London, terrified she will be killed by another car smashing through her wall.
The £500,000 property has been the scene of two serious crashes - in January 2019 and December 2021.
The pianist's husband, Alastair Putt, took his own life aged 39, just nine months after the second collision.
Ms Neumann said the stress of the crashes and costly damage contributed to Alastair's fragile mental state.
Bromley Council has so far refused to install any bollards, saying they would do nothing to prevent a crash.
Anyssa Neumann, 39, outside her Grade II-listed home in Bromley, south east London, where cars have crashed into the house on two occasions
Anyssa with her late husband Alastair Putt who took his own life aged 39 - nine months after the second crash. The widow believes it played a part in triggering his mental health problems
The house was crashed into twice in the space of three years and now Ms Neumann lies awake at night thinking she will be killed by another car
Instead the authority wants to improve the layout of the junction outside her home in High Street Penge.
The first crash left the couple unable to live in the 1840s property for two months.
But the second - which was more serious - left them homeless for 17 months and forced to stay with family and rent another property.
The second crash was the result of a crazed driver in a stolen car, who has never been tracked down by police.
The impact caused serious structural damage - totally collapsing a wall.
Ms Neumann wrote to the council straight after the first collision, urging them to install bollards outside the home.
She told MailOnline: 'I warned them after the first crash that this would happen again and it did.
'I fear for my life living here. It is only a matter of time before another crashes into the house and it could kill me or pedestrians.
'All I have asked for is bollards to be installed outside the house to keep me safe. The house has been here a very, very long time - longer than the roads and everything around it. It wasn't built for 21st century traffic, which thousands of cars to be driving around it.
'But Bromley Borough Council have fobbed me off from start to finish. I am living in fear of my life here. I'm terrified and extremely vulnerable.
The second crash was so serious part of the 1840s house had to be demolished and the couple were left homeless 17 months
The severity and disruption of the second crash played a major part in triggering a rapid deterioration in Mr Putt's mental health
The impact of the crash caused serious structural damage to the £500,000 home
Scaffolding surrounds the home as repair works are carried out following one of the crashes
Ms Neumann says she can't wash the dishes at night or go into her kitchen for long because she fears another crash will take place
'Nothing is being done. It's a complete disgrace. It feels like a total waste of time engaging with them.'
The severity and disruption of the second crash played a major part in triggering a rapid deterioration in Mr Putt's mental health.
A successful and respected composer, Mr Putt's compositions had been played at the BBC Proms.
But after he tragically passed away, Ms Neumann discovered he had invested and lost £80,000 for their mortgage.
A sum that has thankfully been restored by online donations from loved ones.
Ms Neumann believes the trauma of the crashes and the couple's financial stress played a role in his death.
She said: 'It has caused an immense amount of stress, worry and anxiety.
'I firmly believe it contributed to Alastair's state of mind.
'I still lay awake at night fearful of another crash. I can't wash the dishes at night or go into my kitchen for long because I fear another crash will happen.
'The speeding cars at night is even worse. It's out of control.
'I have no peace of mind. All I am asking for is bollards outside for protection.
'I have been told it is the responsibility of various departments and offices and have got nowhere.
The carnage in the kitchen of the home which was left almost completely destroyed. The second crash was the result of a driver in a stolen car, who has never been tracked down
Bromley Council has refused to install any bollards outside the home saying it would not prevent another crash
Ms Neumann stands at the junction outside her home in High Street Penge which the council is looking to improve the layout of
'It will happen again and I fear next time I will not be alive afterwards to say I warned them. But I did.'
The house has seen other serious and fatal crashes nearby.
In 2016, a 10-year-old boy was killed when a police officer in pursuit of another car mounted the curb and hit him.
In 2019, an eight-month-old boy and his mother died after being struck by a car near the junction.
Ms Neumann added: 'I am running out of patience.
'Despite everything, I love the house, it is beautiful.
'I do not want to leave - I just want some bollards for protection.
'The value of the house is not what it should be because of refusal to do everything.
'The junction also needs action. It is extremely serious.'
A Bromley Council spokesperson said: 'We were very sorry to hear of Mr Neumann's tragic death. We have had a site meeting with local councillors to discuss what we might do.
'Unfortunately, bollards would not prevent a similar incident.
We have provisional funding TfL to improve the layout at junction of Maple Road and Penge High Street and we hope to start work in the near future'.
For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
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