Cracking up

LORRIES pound past Mrs Smith’s home

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AN elderly couple claim increased traffic has left their house cracking up around them.

Doreen and Derek Smith, who live in Broadway, Chadderton, say their children’s inheritance is “disappearing before their eyes”, as cracks in the walls and windows of their home grow wider.

Problems began six years ago, when the road was widened and traffic flow increased. The effects have since worsened.

Four weeks ago a double-glazed window suddenly smashed. A replacement is also now starting to crack.

Doreen (80), who has owned the house for 45 years, said: “The traffic just thunders past. Lorries go at a pace then slam their brakes on when the traffic lights change.

“It’s terrifying. I feel like the house is just collapsing around me.”

Broadway is motorway link road and according to Derek (79), around 3,500 HGVs and 35,000 vehicles a day now pass their home.

The couple have since received compensation of £4,000 from the Highways Agency, but claim repairs coule cost even more.

The highways Agency has asked the couple of contact them.

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