A DRIVER has blasted the condition of a road after he went through a ‘giant puddle’ and crashed into a tree.

Nathan Neary said he lost control of his Volkswagen Polo, which he had only bought six days before, after he drove round the bend in Windermere Avenue, Burnley, last Sunday, and hit the standing water.

The 20-year-old said he just finished working at a function at the Old Stables restaurant in Towneley Park in Burnley before he hit the water and it caused him to skid off the road and crash into a tree.

The £1,300 car suffered damage to its steering rack, brake pads and front bumper, while new tyres are needed.

Mr Neary said he was frustrated with Lancashire County Council as he said they put a warning sign up after the crash, but there wasn’t any warning beforehand.

He said: “I was driving properly and carefully, but the giant puddle took me completely by surprise.

“I went through the puddle and kept going straight, I went straight over the pavement and into a tree," Mr Neary added.

“I think my car is written off, there’s around £500 or £600-worth of damage to it.

“I was breathalysed by the police who came after and blew zero, I was doing nothing wrong.

“I spoke to the county council and they haven’t claimed responsibility, but I believe they should have had a sign up before the crash to warn people when they come round the bend.”

Windermere Avenue connects Colne Road, at the Casterton Avenue junction, with Barden Lane.

Mr Neary said: “I was distraught with the damage that was caused to my car.

"I had only had it six days before this happened.

“I am hoping to get a new car.

“The puddle was really big, it stretched out the width of my lane and went down the road.”

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: “We inspect highways on a cyclical basis to check them for safety and ensure any maintenance which may be needed is carried out.

“We have a system in place to ensure any further reports from the public can be prioritised as necessary.

“Once the drainage issue on Windermere Avenue was reported we put up a sign to warn road users, and cleaned the drains in this area earlier this week to ensure they are clear and working.

“We will monitor this area in case there is an underlying issue with the drainage which may need further action to resolve,” the spokesman added.