Shrewsbury residents' anger at development disruption

The row erupted over by work to connect sewerage and gas works to Persimmon Homes' 230-home estate at Shillingston Drive in Shrewsbury.

Residents of the nearby Berwick Grange said the road has been "dangerously blocked" with construction vehicles, covered in mud, and there had been verbal altercations between workers and residents.

Ted Goodman, of the nearby Latchford Lane, said the feelings of residents of Berwick Grange had been ignored. He said: "Work started last year and for a time things were OK but in the last few months it has got worse. They were required to put in a wheel washer on site and it was only after protests from neighbours that they put in a street cleaner.

"Over the last three or four weeks other works have started off-site to connect the mains gas. We were given an assurance from Persimmon that no work would be required on our estate but this has caused a major traffic hazard.

"There are small children here and there a large vehicles coming up and down. It is already hazardous but for the last week we have not even had a pedestrian way because the road had been obstructed by excavations."

Councillor Mal Price said Persimmon must do more to ensure residents are not affected. He said: "I think they should be looking after residents like they said were going to, and the way they have handled it so far has been unacceptable.

"I understand residents received a card through their door two days before works started and they have gone through the estate blocking off vehicles. People have been saying that it resembles a war zone."

A Persimmon spokesman said it was aware of the issues, but claimed utilities contractors were responsible, not subcontractors working in the homes development.

He said: "We are aware of the concerns of the residents on Berwick Grange, the works that are being undertaken at present are being carried out by statutory agencies on behalf of the utility companies that will supply the services for the development.

"All subcontractors working within our development are strictly monitored to ensure that no vehicles are parked outside our development. The issues with contractors vehicles being parked on Shillingston Drive is limited to the utility provider's contractors.

"We understand that these initial works will be completed by Easter."

Shropshire Council said it will monitor the construction. Gary Parton, Shropshire Council's highways engineer, said: "

Council officers will continue to monitor the site to advise contractors and developers, and enforce as necessary, to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum."