Fears over plan for 600 homes on outskirts of Shrewsbury
A 600-home development on open land on the outskirts of Shrewsbury will cause congestion and could lead to accidents, residents have warned.
More than 200 people packed into a room at the Lord Hill Hotel in the first 45 minutes of an exhibition unveiling plans for the development at Weir Hill, near Cherry Orchard.
Many were unhappy with how the proposed development has been laid out. Much of the criticism focused on having access points off both Preston Street and London Road, and a road linking the two.
Tony Dudgon, of Reynaulds Close, said he believes increased traffic in Preston Street would lead to severe congestion and car accidents. He said: "My concern is the through road will be a rat-run and it will be a danger with that junction on to Preston Street. I am right on the corner and I have already had my boundary wall knocked down by a vehicle there. If this goes ahead you will have accidents galore."
Mike Brooks, of Portland Crescent, said he was also concerned about the possibility for the road to become a rat-run.
He said: "The original proposal was there would only be 150 houses accessing on to Preston Street with a roadblock halfway between there and London Road. They have now said no, they want to do that road right the way through from the top of London Road to Preston Street.
"It will be a rat run right the way across."
Judy Roberts, of Preston Street, said the plans would exacerbate existing traffic issues. She also attacked loss of green space.
Marc Wilson, strategic land manager for developer Taylor Wimpey, said that no part of the plans is set in stone and they could be reconsidered depending on public opinion.
He said: "If there is an overwhelming thought process either way we have to consider it."
The plans have been jointly put forward by developers Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes.
