PENSIONER Robert Stowell has hit out after the council wrote him a letter suggesting her had been driving too fast during an accident at new 'chicanes'.

Mr Stowell, 77, of Warwick Road, Tyldesley was annoyed by a reply from Wigan Council after he complained about the accident a mile from his home.

The Vauxhall Astra driver wrote to the council after he had run off the road and over the kerb at newly introduced chicanes laid as part of traffic calming measures in Astley Street, Tyldesley.

Mr Stowell had to buy a new tyre and was forced to pay out £100 excess by his insurers to repair damage caused in the crash.

He explained: "I was travelling down Astley Street and couldn't see anything warning me that the kerb jutted out in to the road. I put my brakes on but couldn't avoid it."

In a reply to his complaint a local authority spokesman wrote: "You tell us that you ran straight in to the 'pinch point' traffic-calming scheme. You saw the scheme, braked but was unable to stop, suggesting you were driving at a speed in excess of the prevailing conditions.

"This area is well lit by street lights and there is advanced warning of the scheme and corresponding line markings. This is a case in that you misjudged and/or failed to negotiate the scheme resulting in contact.

"There is no negligence on the council's part and we cannot proceed the matter any further."

Offended by the reply Mr Stowell fumed: "I don't speed, that's not my game, I'm 77 year-old! The bollards on the pavement had been knocked down and there was no light. It was pitch black. There must have been umpteen accidents there. Better lighting and more warning is needed."

lTHIS week purple coloured rumble strips were installed on the section of the road leading down Astley Street from Tyldesley town centre. A council spokesman denied these had been added because of recent accidents.

He said: "They were included in the original scheme plans."