IT had to happen. In last Friday morning's rush hour a car and lorry collided in Platt Lane, the country lane that links Chequerbent to Bag Lane, Atherton.

An increasing amount of traffic is using the route as a short cut in the light of newly developed long tailbacks on Schofield Lane, Atherton. Me included, but I have done so on and off for years.

My one fear has always been meeting one of the juggernauts that uses the lane, and ending up under its wheels.

I escaped that dreaded fate by just a few yards on Friday when my vision came true and all traffic both ways was brought to a standstill and forced to do three point turns in the narrow lane. Fire crews had to be called to free the trapped vehicle.

Some motorists drive too fast on the short cut, but I've written before that such big waggons should be banned from using the road. Perhaps the powers that be will take some notice when a death is reported.