HOUSEHOLDERS on the Longforth Farm estate on the edge of Wellington are strongly objecting to plans to create a new access to the Pritex factory site.

Pritex, which is up for sale, shares a site with sister company Relyon at Station Mills and wants to create its own access to the first phase of the Wellington northern relief road.

Dozens of residents have commented to Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) registering concerns about the plans including:

Pollution and noise – lorry movements through the estate rather than Wellington town centre and northern parts of the town would only shift the problem.

Congestion – traffic to and from the factory and the new school would back up in the area at peak periods.

Health and safety – lots of children live on the estate and a new school is proposed to be built there, so lorry traffic would risk their safety.

Parking – the number of parking places planned at Pritex is insufficient – workers would have to park in nearby residential roads.

In one representation to TDBC one objector questioned whether removing lorries from the town centre would solve congestion. He said: “Congestion is apparent at all times of day and at weekends, which suggests it is due to poor planning thanks to two supermarket entrances on the same junction. Parking bays in the centre of town significantly slow the movement of traffic.”

One objector said: “When we decided to move to Longforth Farm, we thought we were moving to a quiet cul-de-sac, not a busy road.” Another said: “Ultimately this will devalue property in Normandy Row.”

The subject of traffic calming measures on Longforth Farm was also raised, as was a proposed two-metre high sliding metal access gate felt not to be in keeping with the area.

Pritex parent company Steinhoff International, which also owns Relyon, estimates about 20 daily two-way HGV and transit goods vehicle movements, and about 190 daily two-way vehicle movements would be removed from the town centre. That would benefit residents in Brendon Road, Longforth Road, Seymour Street, North Street and the centre of town.

The planning application also includes 112 car parking spaces and a cycle shelter.

Wellington Town Council and Somerset County Council would like to see all HGV traffic from the Relyon site use the northern relief road but Pritex’s purchaser will decide whether Relyon vehicles can cross its site.

One objector to the plans said: “It would appear a key consideration is to facilitate the sale of part of the business, yet without guarantees of access from the new owners. Relyon might be forced to utilise the existing town centre road, which achieves nothing but to split the traffic. The proposal is half-baked and isn’t fit for purpose.”

Pritex manufactures acoustic and thermo-acoustic insulation products and is one of Wellington’s largest employers.