Plans to build an industrial estate next to a notorious accident blackspot on south Shropshire’s A49 could lead to more serious crashes, residents and councillors have claimed.

Richards Castle Parish Council has submitted a detailed objection to the development at Woofferton, close to the site of a fatal collision on the A49 almost two weeks ago.

The scheme, submitted by Birmingham-based firm, Bomers Developments Ltd, includes 15 single storey business units, car parking, landscaping and new accesses off the B4362, which joins the A49.

The application is to go before planners at Shropshire Council at a later date.

One resident, who wished not to be named, said: “It’s bad enough having to cope with the ‘demolition derby’ on the A49 racetrack, but now they want to bury us in an industrial estate.”

Objectors said concerns had been raised over the scale of the project and that more traffic would increase the risk of accidents on the A49.

Parish councillors say there is also a history of flooding caused by the drainage culverts under the proposed site.

Peter Corfield, parish council chairman, said: “This council has, since 2000, been pressing for a roundabout, speed limit or other traffic calming measures on this stretch of the A49.

“The addition of traffic generated by this proposal will greatly increase the risk of further accidents.

“Space for 32 cars, 15 transit vans and 50 staff, right on the junction, is totally unacceptable.

“Add to this the inevitable deliveries etc and it is clear that both the A49 and B4362 will be overburdened, particularly at peak times.”