A CAR SMASH victim claims a new estate and road will ease traffic problems on a major Hindley Green route.

Graham Pearson's parked car was smashed into by a lorry on Monday morning and dragged along Swan Lane before crashing into another car and left on the footpath.

"It's lucky the local school was on holiday or there could have been a terrible accident," said Mr Pearson.

A supporter of the new road which will accompany the controversial estate, Mr Pearson said: "The road will solve problems for the residents in Swan Lane and the people who live on the Taylor Road rat run.

"People from the industrial estate use Swan Lane and they whip through to Atherton Road along the rat run. The new road will help stop that."

There was a protest meeting over the estate plans at the Spinners Arms on Wednesday evening.

Commenting on the car incident, campaign leader John Vickers said: "While I sympathise with Mr Pearson's misfortune, the new road will nbotalleviate the traffic which causes such accidents.

"While it is personally infortunate for Mr Pearson, he should spare a thought for the detrimental impact this ill-thought out and unwanted development will have on the whole of Hindley Green."

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