A rotting “two-ton” pub sign teetering over a busy bus stop is “an accident waiting to happen”, according to an engineer.

The large oak gantry that once held the sign to the now closed Railway Hotel, in Station Road, Edgware, appears to be suffering from severe wood rot after years of being exposed to the elements.

And service engineer Patrick Gibson believes the heavy structure is on the brink of falling onto passers-by and crushing the bus stop on the pavement next to it.

The 56-year-old, of nearby Kenilworth Road, reported his concerns to Barnet Council on public safety grounds six weeks ago but says he is worried nothing has yet been done.

He said: “I’ve been keeping an eye on it for a while now and I’m pretty sure it has rotted right through. It must weigh at least two tons and it feels like a matter of time before there’s a horrible accident.”

The sign is not the property of Barnet Council but Mr Gibson feels the authority should take responsibility due to its potential to harm people on the public pavement.

He said: “I didn’t know who else to report it to but I’ve heard nothing back. They must know who owns the building and they should be forcing them to fix it.”

The Times Series is waiting for a comment from Barnet Council, which says it is looking into the matter.