NEIGHBOURS living in a row of cottages on a busy East Lancashire link road today called for action after a motorist lost control of his car and landed on the pavement just inches from their homes.

Roger Buckley, who lives in the row in Rochdale Road, Edenfield, said the accident, which happened at 7.30pm on Saturday, was the second within yards of his front door in as many days.

He was watching television with his wife and neighbours in the living room of his home when a Vauxhall Cavalier being driven by Mark Diggle, 33, of Cowpe Road, Waterfoot, crashed through a steel barrier and landed on the pavement just inches away.

Firefighters from Rawtenstall and Accrington spent more than an hour trying to free Mr Diggle from the mangled vehicle before he was taken to Bury General with minor injuries.

The road was closed for a further three hours while police accident investigators examined the scene. Mr Buckley said: "We just heard a terrific crash and saw everything flying about. We wondered what was going on.

"This porch has already been demolished in an accident and only on Friday there was another crash at the other side of the road, which has left the barriers down there as well.

"I've complained I don't know how many times to Rossendale Borough Council and our MP Janet Anderson about it, but apart from erecting a barrier nothing has been done.

"I think the problem is the wagons that travel to the quarry up the road. They are leaving a trail behind them that puts a film on the road and motorists lose control."

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, went on: "We want that barrier putting back up as soon as possible because it is a real cause for concern. Any one of us could have been walking up the road and another couple inches and the car could have hit the house."

Officers from the traffic unit at Colne Police said inquiries into the crash were ongoing.

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