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'Bridge bombers' endangering lives
Gangs of mindless teenage "bridge bombers" are putting lives at risk in Wigan.
Residents have been complaining about yobs throwing missiles from the disused railway bridge on Edge Green Lane, Golborne.
One motorist had a narrow escape last Friday when an object hurled from the bridge smashed his windscreen.
One 75-year-old victim of the gang, who did not want to be named, said the problem was getting out of control and that it was only a matter of time before the yobs caused a fatal accident.
He said: "People need to be warned to watch out when they use this road.
"I had already complained about six months ago after my wife and I had things thrown down at us.
"It was a friend of mine whose car window was smashed and it could have killed him.
"The kids who did it ran off but my friend managed to drive his car home and rang the police. They came to see him but they could only give him a crime number for his insurance.
"He is self-employed and needs his car for his job but it is off the road now for several days.
"This sort of behaviour should not be tolerated and could have caused a serious accident."
The land is believed to be owned by Railtrack and is not the direct responsibility of the council, although they are now looking at how they can help to tackle the problem and say they have solved similar situations elsewhere in the borough.
Golborne and Lowton West councillor Peter Franzen said there had been problems with the bridge for years and he has written to the council in a bid to find a solution.
He said: "The bridge represents a safe pedestrian crossing of Edge Green Lane and is very well used by walkers.
"Thanks to the bridge, it is possible to walk all the way from Church Street in Golborne to Ashton Heath without crossing a road.
"I would therefore not want to see access to the bridge prevented and a valuable leisure amenity removed.
"I would prefer to see secure barriers erected on either side of the bridge to prevent missiles being thrown at passing vehicles and pedestrians."
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Weather for Wigan
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
