Barrier plea after crash wrecks wall — for the fourth time

DEMOLISHED . . . Phelyp Bennett outside his home in Beal Lane next to his wrecked garden wall

A SHAW resident whose front garden wall has been crashed into four times in the past three years is campaigning for a barrier to be put in front of his house.

The former chairman of Shaw and Crompton Parish Council, Phelyp Bennett, from Beal Lane, Shaw, said the latest incident happened when an Audi crashed into his wall late on the night of March 20.

The driver escaped uninjured from the crash but the wall, 3ft from the house, was demolished.

Mr Bennett is now appealing to Oldham Council’s highways department to install a barrier in front of his property, as well as speed calming measures in the road,

He said: “There is a camber in the road so when cars are driving fast round Grains Road they clip the curb and crash into my wall.

“I’ve spoken to the council before about this but they said unless someone is killed or seriously injured, which hasn’t happened, there is nothing they can do. Ideally, I want people to drive more sensibly but failing that, hatched lines should be introduced to slow down drivers and a barrier installed.”

The council has erected a pair of 3ft bollards in Beal Lane near to a telephone box 25 yards away from Mr Bennett’s property.

But he said the bollards will have no effect on the traffic problem and neighbours have no idea why they were installed.

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: “We are aware of this incident and are undertaking a full investigation at the site.”