Bucknall family living in fear after fourth doorstep accident in a year

A FAMILY are living in fear after four separate accidents on their doorstep over the last 12 months.

Ray Pickin, of Ruxley Road, Bucknall, says the crashes are caused by the T-junction with Malthouse Road being made dangerous by changes in recent years.

In the last year his front wall has been smashed twice by drivers approaching the junction.

The 59-year-old said: "I have lived here for 21 years and it has never been this bad before.

"Something needs to be done, because it is dangerous and it's definitely getting worse."

In the latest incident last Friday the wall was smashed for a second time by a driver, who then left the scene.

Mr Pickin said: "It is causing my insurance premiums to go up because I keep claiming for damages.

"With the wall being in pieces again we feel defenceless if there is another crash."

In the last 12 months the family's troubles have included:

A drunk driver who crossed the junction and completely demolished the wall. The car landed on top of their neighbour's wall;

A lorry failed to slow down at the junction and slammed into the rear of a car with two children in the back seat;

A policewoman was knocked off her bicycle by a driver.

Mr Pickin said: "My wife and I have been in the house at the time of these incidents and it has given us a terrible shock.

"During the first crash we were just watching TV in the living room when there was an almighty bang.

"When we looked out of the window the driver was trying to climb out of the vehicle even though it was suspended in the air.

"I've never seen anything like it."

Mr Pickin believes the junction is causing problems after a street light was moved a few years ago – meaning the street is darker at night.

He is also calling on Stoke-on-Trent City Council to install a large ramp in the lead up to the junction, or to reinstate a street sign in Ruxley Road that has been taken down to make it clear to drivers they are approaching another road.

He said: "The lack of lighting is certainly a contributing factor because people are coming up too fast and cannot see what they are doing."

His son Craig Pickin, aged 36, who lives at the same address, added: "It is surprising that no-one has been killed because it really is bad.

"I think the junction seems dark now that the light has been moved and it has caused a big difference."

The student says he is worried for his parents because it has become so dangerous.

He said: "When I saw the car lodged on top of the wall after it crashed it was just like something out of a film. It can't carry on like this.

"My dad is worried that the next one will come through the house."

Councillor Ruth Rosenau, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transportation, said: "Officers have spoken to Mr Pickin and assured him that an assessment of the junction and traffic flow in the area will be carried out.

"We will be examining the accident history of the area to look at what might have been the cause of the recent spate of accidents.

"We will assess traffic flow and also look at the issue of highways lighting."