A DISABLED pensioner, who was knocked off his mobility scooter while travelling down a side street in Leyland town centre, is petitioning council chiefs for traffic calming measures to be installed.

Joseph Kershaw, 69, was returning from shopping in Leyland town centre on Tuesday, June 18, when the accident happened in John Street -- which runs from Quin Street to Herbert Street, off Hough Lane.

Joseph said the car touched his scooter and knocked him off it.

Fortunately the pensioner was shaken but not injured but he said the affect could have been much worse as he has suffered several heart attacks and a major stroke.

The car had stopped but although Joseph's wife Gladys, 72, reported the incident to the police, he had not kept the car's registration number so there was little officers could do.

The couple, who live in Greenwood Court sheltered accommodation, at the bottom of Herbert Street, believe John Street is fast being used by drivers looking for a short cut through town.

Gladys, who also has a mobility vehicle, said: "I have to be careful which way I go into town. I have to cross John Street where there are no pavements and the invalidity scooter isn't registered for the road.

"We took a petition to South Ribble Borough Council with 50 signatures on it. Having sheltered accommodation so close to a dangerous road is no good. It's an accident waiting to happen."

Councillor Jeff Knowles, cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: "This is bad. We have plans in the pipeline for a number of traffic calming measures and alterations around Golden Hill Lane, but realistically we need to wait until Tesco's is up and running to see the complete picture and how the traffic changes."

Sergeant Steven Moon, of Leyland Police's geographic support department, said: "Every complaint that we receive is assessed and a decision will be made accordingly. We work with South Ribble Borough Council and they are aware of each complaint."