LORRIES are blocking a narrow village road - because satellite navigation systems are sending them the wrong way.

Coun Darryl Smith said residents in Chatterton had been facing problems for months due to articulated lorries driving through the village on the way to the former Chatterton Mill, now occupied by a home furnishings company.

But the situation has recently got worse due to sat nav systems directing lorry drivers down Chatterton Old Lane rather than the wider Chatterton Road which is traditionally used, according to Coun Smith.

At the junction with Bolton Road North near the motorway roundabout, Chatterton Old Lane is as wide as a standard road, but it quickly narrows as it leads into the village.

Ten days ago an HGV from a Leigh-based firm got stuck at the bottom of the road opposite St Philip's Church in Chatterton Road for four hours, blocking all access.

The lorry knocked over a lamp-post and damaged residents' hedgerows and walls opposite the church, which is also used by The Learning Tree pre-school.

Now ward councillor Darryl Smith is calling for traffic safety measures to be introduced to alleviate the problem.

Coun Smith said: "When lorries have been diverted down Chatterton Old Lane in the past, they've reversed back which causes bad enough delays as it is.

"But this incident with a four-hour blockage was dangerous - one can only imagine what would have happened if a fire had occurred or an ambulance was needed.

"The problem appears to be caused when drivers are diverted down Chatterton Old Lane by their satellite navigation systems.

This is despite a warning signing at the top of the road."

Coun Smith has been working with Lancashire County Council officers, who attended the scene to remove the damaged lamp-post, to address the problem.

He said: "I am hopeful that a scheme can be put together to prevent further occurrences.

"Things being considered are improved signage, narrowing the opening to Chatterton Old Lane at the top - so it doesn't appear as attractive an option to HGVs - or possibly a one way system up the lane."

Sharon Crolla, from The Learning Tree, said: "Some measures would be a very good thing.

"Thankfully we do not go out too much, but parents regularly get stuck waiting for 20 minutes behind trucks. These roads are not made for such vehicles."

David Harrison, traffic and development engineer for the county council, said: "We are currently assessing the site, but there does look to be a problem with the signing, which needs to be made more prominent.

"Introducing measures like a one-way system I do not think would be popular so we will see if improved signage works first."