Crashes raise fears

CRUNCH . . . Alan Sweeting shows the damge to his house from the latest accident

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

House is hit in latest accident at blackspot

RESIDENTS fear lives will be lost on a notorious road bend that’s fast becoming Oldham’s worst accident blackspot after countless crashes.

People in Thornham Road, High Crompton — living in dread after suffering numerous incidents of cars ploughing into their homes — say Oldham Council has ignored their pleas for road safety measures.

Last summer the Chronicle revealed their concerns after a car lost control and ended up in a front garden, damaging a wall and property.

They recalled at least 10 serious accidents due to the sharp s-bend and demanded the council took action before someone was killed.

But they say little had been done and the accident count is rapidly increasing, with a woman and young boy the latest victims after their car smashed into a house last week.

Resident Alan Sweeting said his house has been hit three times, the wall to a neighbouring bungalow four times, two other walls have been hit, a neighbour’s porch demolished and two bus stops knocked down four times between them.

He said: “It’s an accident waiting to happen that keeps happening.

“I have got daughters of my own and grandchildren and I’m worried sick that someone is going to be killed.

“It’s inevitable there will be a fatality. It affects you something rotten.

“The disturbing part is that since the previous incident last year all the council has done is put cross hatch lines on the road that don’t do a thing. People ignore it and take the bend how they want to.

“I have done what I can with the council but they say it’s a speeding matter for the police and the police say it’s the road. I can’t believe the lack of activity. It’s putting your head in the sand and hoping it goes away.”

Describing the latest accident, he said: “I was in the lounge and there was an unbelievable bang. The car must have been taking the bend and didn’t make it and went out of control and smacked into the gable end of my house.”

He called the emergency services and helped the occupants, who were taken to hospital. They were shaken but are believed to have escaped serious injury.

The impact damaged rendering on the house and a concrete support around the front door.

Firefighters shunted the concrete back into place but Mr Sweeting is waiting for a structural engineer to examine it after being unable to close his front door .

While it’s not been proved that drivers have been speeding, he said causes include a combination of driving too fast for the bend, wet conditions and problems with the road surface.

Residents fear children playing outside their homes could be killed and want something to slow drivers down, such as speed bumps, speed cameras or speed barriers.

Council Cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, Councillor Mark Alcock, said the bend had been investigated.

He added: “Improvements have been made to the signs and road markings. In light of recent reports we will be looking at what other actions can be taken to improve the situation.”