A CYCLIST is demanding that a busy stretch of road is renovated after he broke his arm in an accident.

Michael Chattell, of Arnside Road, Savick, was injured when his bike tyre became stuck in one of the sunken railway tracks which run across Strand Road, Preston.

He fell off his bike, broke his arm and narrowly missed a passing car.

Now he wants action to be taken to ensure the same thing doesn't happen to anyone else.

He says the state of the road is potentially lethal.

He said: "I was being sensible, riding on the cycle path along the side of the road.

"The railway tracks are in the ground on part of the cycle path and my bike got caught in them.

"It is ludicrous that these tracks should be left to pose a danger to cyclists on a designated cycle path.

"The cycle paths are supposed to be safer to ride on than the roads."

After Michael fell off his bike, two passers-by stopped to help him but drove off before he had chance to thank them.

He received treatment for the broken arm at the Royal Preston Hospital.

He still struggles to dress himself because he is in constant pain.

He added: "There should be better warnings about it.

"It is a hazard. I'm not the first person to have come a cropper here but I hope I will be the last."

Railtrack, who control the country's railway tracks, said they would look into it, adding that although the railway is disused, it is regularly repaired.

Lancashire County Council, who are in charge of road maintenance, also said the incident was being investigated in consultation with Preston Borough Council.

The railway track in question is part of the dis-used route from Preston railway station to the docklands.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.