A YOUNG man who was severely disabled in a car crash is objecting to plans to join two Teesside villages on road safety grounds.

Tony Wells, 23, of Elton, fears youngsters in the village could be killed or seriously injured if the planned link road to Long Newton goes ahead because of an increase in traffic.

He moved there to get away from busy roads after an accident when he was eight, which left him quadriplegic and wheelchair-bound.

"I don't want to live on a main road any more because of the traffic," said Mr Wells, who bought and adapted his house with a £1.7m compensation pay-out for his injuries in the crash.

"There are lots of children in the village and two little girls live next door and I am worried something could happen to them."

Mr Wells lives at the property with his parents, Robert and Vivien, who act as his full-time carers.

They have experienced first hand the devastating impact accidents on the road can have on a family.

His mother said she would not forgive herself if she did not speak out and a child was maimed or killed.

"I have pictures of Tony before the accident and it is quite upsetting at times," said Mrs Wells, 50.

"It is no good working out what to do after something happens because it will be too late then.

"We moved here to provide a safe and secure environment for Tony and the road will dramatically increase the amount of traffic.

"It is already dangerous pulling off our drive and we certainly don't want anything else to happen."

The link road is part of a massive plan to upgrade the A66 to reduce accidents but it has divided the community.

Many villagers share the Wells' road safety concerns but some residents fear the village's bus service will be axed without the new road.

Elton farmers have spoken in favour of the road, arguing there will be less slow moving agricultural vehicles on the A66 and therefore less accidents.

The plans are the subject of a public inquiry, which will be held on July 1, at The Swallow Hotel, John Walker Square, in Stockton