Road danger warning after 600-home estate agreed for Oswestry
Traffic improvements must be put in place in residential areas of Oswestry before up to 600 new homes are built, people already living in the town say.
A 20mph zone has been suggested for the new development, part of the southern urban extension for the market town.
One councillor, who would rather see physical traffic calming around Middleton Road and Cabin Lane, had talks with Shropshire Council's leader this week to press for urgent action.
Councillor Clare Aspinall said Tuesday's granting of permission for the homes between the Shrewsbury Road and eastern Oswestry had been expected.
J Ross Develpments, which is behind the scheme, was given seven years into which to build the housing, 10 per cent of which must be affordable homes.
But traffic safety was a concern, Councillor Aspinall said.
"There are residents very worried that construction vehicles and traffic from the development will use the existing road network which is already very busy," she said.
"Middleton Road, which is one way onto Cabin Lane, is already an official area of community concern and is on Shropshire Council's priority list for traffic calming measures," she said.
"We also have automatic traffic count equipment going in on Aston Way and Prince Charles Way in the coming weeks to look at traffic volume and speed.
"The developers have said the main access will be via a new roundabout onto the Shrewsbury Road. But that road already gets clogged up and human nature is such that drivers will find alternatives."
Speed humps
Councillor Aspinall who met Councillor Peter Nutting after permission was granted, said there were also worries about safety on Cabin Lane, the spine road through eastern Oswestry.
"We are pressing for a crossing on Cabin Lane for children going to the Meadows School which will see a big increase in numbers when the houses are built."
"Residents have already had pets killed on that road. How long will it be before a child gets hit - it is an accident waiting to happen," she said.
"Yes we could look at a 20-mile-an hour zone but I would much prefer to see physical traffic calming. At the moment we are discussing cushion speed humps."
Oswestry's mayor and county councillor, Vince Hunt, has welcomed the new homes.
"Folks in Oswestry realise this is a natural progression and extension for Oswestry and I support it," he said.
"These are exciting times for the town."
The news has been welcomed by Oswestry's Chamber of Commerce.
Chairman Mark Derham, said: "It is only a good thing for the town. It is going to give the area an economic boost.
"With a local developer carrying out the work that is only a good thing and there will be a knock-on effect to local building companies and building suppliers.
"Every town is having to build more homes. A development this size will provide a boost to the area."
