Major new link road planned near M54 in Wolverhampton
Residents are being urged to have their say on a proposed new link road to a former factory in South Staffordshire.
A consultation is taking place on three proposals for the road which would create access to the former Royal Ordnance Factory in Featherstone.
The old factory has been earmarked as employment land.
However, concerns have been raised that some of the proposals would see a negative impact on green belt land.
Options A and B would see the link road off the Cannock Road and join Cat and Kittens Lane, while option C would be near to the Stafford Road.
Wolverhampton Councillor Daniel Warren, who represents Bushbury North and has residents whose homes border the site, said: "The road would cut across the fields south of Moseley Old Hall to create a link between Cat and Kittens Lane and the A460.
"This would be a single-carriageway road suitable for two-way lorry traffic.
"The road would run near to properties in Abbeyfield Road and Gatcombe Close which already has issues with traffic flow running down Northycote Lane and Greenfield lane.
"South Staffs Council believe the ROF site would be perfect for a freight distribution centre which would could mean lorries driving up and down local roads 24 hours a day," he said.
"We are very concerned that Options A and B, which encroach green belt land, would permanently damage the local environment and surroundings and result in even more traffic along our roads. We also know that the National Trust is opposing the link road."
Councillor Warren added: "Option C would work for us – Cat and Kittens Lane cuts across a field but would need a bridge across the West Coast Main Line."
Moseley Road resident Andrew Biddle, 59, said he was concerned about the impact on the environment.
The father-of-two, who works as a construction manager, said: "Moseley is a little bit of a gem and it lies by the side of the M54. Moseley itself has Moseley Old Hall which is accessed by a small country lane.
"It is the only access into Moseley Old Hall, it has historical value and the area is a conservation area."
Councillor Bob McCardle, cabinet member for strategic services at South Staffordshire Council said: "No decisions have been made yet, and we would encourage local people to have their say."
People can have their say online at www.sstaffs.gov.uk/siteallocations.
The consultation closes on Friday.
