Residents object to a housing plan near Bankfield Drive in Holmbridge, citing increased traffic dangers, especially for walkers.
The plan allows 21 new houses off Bankfield Drive. Orion Homes will build them with council permission. The new road will connect to Laithe Avenue.
The council approved it despite 150+ objections.
People fear it will make the roads dangerous. One resident called it “Russian roulette.” Locals say more traffic at the junction is bad, including the intersection with Laithe Bank Drive. They plan to keep fighting the decision.
Orion Homes said safety was very important. Roads will be improved before building starts. A councillor said they added safety measures.
Similar plans failed in the 90s due to road safety. The government agreed, but the site is now in the council’s plan. Residents say cars crash there often. One crash damaged a stone wall. Kids walk to school there too.
Locals think the new homes will worsen traffic. A highways officer said it wouldn’t be a big problem. Residents say the traffic report is wrong. They claim it uses bad data and misleading facts. The council didn’t do their own survey.
They think safety measures are just for show. New curbs might make Dobb Top Road more dangerous. It lacks footpaths now for walkers.
One resident thinks housing is valued over safety. He feels the council doesn’t care about road safety. Residents criticized a local councillor. They said he didn’t fight the plan.
But he says he listened and acted. The councillor says the council must follow rules. He added safety upgrades to the project. He worked for better walking paths, too.
One councillor agrees with residents’ safety concerns. He said the roads are narrow. Pedestrians often walk in the road. Kids use the road to get to school often. He thinks more traffic will cause accidents. He is disappointed the council approved it.
Four council members voted for the plan. Only one voted against it during the vote.