AN INCREASE in traffic on a narrow village road could result in a fatality, a resident has warned.

The Leader has reported previously on the concerns of Gronant residents over plans for 41 affordable council homes at Nant y Gro in the village.

Gronant Hill resident Alun Jones has now told the Leader that following a recent incident in which a heavy goods vehicle collided with a utility pole he has even more grave concerns for the safety of pedestrians who could face additional traffic generated by the works.

He said: "If Flintshire Council goes ahead with the proposed development of 41 new properties at the rear of Gronant Hill and Nant Y Gro this will only increase the amount of traffic, especially HGVs, which are needed as part of the building process.

"Sadly I believe it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident or fatality on Gronant Hill, especially as there is no pavement and the road is used by pedestrians as it links the two parts of Gronant separated by the A548 and the main bus stop for the village is located on the A548.

"Why aren’t Flintshire considering a new access road from the A548 to the village in view of the number of villagers who have informed Flintshire and their representatives of the serious concerns they have regarding traffic issues and safety?

"We don't want to stop the development. We understand people need houses but we want a new access from the site."

He also questioned the thoroughness of the traffic survey conducted as part of the scheme, stating he felt the methods used did not give an 'accurate reflection of the vehicles using this country road'.

Gronant Hill resident Sally Roberts previously told the Leader she felt the village didn't have the infrastructure to meet the needs of the new homes.

Following a residents' group meeting, she said: "If they could use a smaller bus instead of these wretched double-deckers it would be a lot better.

“It would certainly have less of an impact as they drive up and down the hill.

“Smaller buses would do less damage and be less of a risk to pedestrians and I can see no reason why Arriva buses have to send double-deckers through our village.”

Community councillor John Larner said: “I haven’t heard anybody at the meeting dispute the need for the housing, we know we need the houses but they have to remove all the top soil and that could take hundreds of wagons and this road can’t take that.”

Mel Evans, housing strategy officer at Flintshire Council, previously stated the council is 'assessing the condition of Gronant Hill' to determine if any improvements could be made to the road.

Neal Cockerton, chief officer for housing and assets, said: “We are aware of local concerns and a public consultation event attended by over 80 people was held in March.

"Following that event we tried to address those concerns relating specifically to the housing scheme in the planning application submitted which we anticipate will be considered by the Council’s planning committee in July.

“The impact on existing infrastructure is a material consideration when assessing all forms and scales of residential development and due process has been followed in the development and submission of this scheme, which included a statutory consultation period.

"The application will have to satisfy members that the concerns expressed by local residents have received fair consideration and that the scheme meets all statutory planning, highway and environmental guidelines.

“There will also be an opportunity for local residents to speak for or against the scheme at the planning committee, however this will need to be pre-arranged with the Council’s Planning Team."