ALARMED residents are calling for a public inquiry to hear their concerns over heavy goods vehicles using Kempsey's Brookend Lane.

The West Midlands Traffic Commissioner is believed to have received up to 80 letters of objection to an application from Alan Davis, of Whittington, for permission to keep four goods vehicles and trailers at Unit 9, Brookend Farm.

The licence of the previous operator, Mary Price, trading as Price to Move, was revoked at a public inquiry in Birmingham on Friday, August 9, effective from Saturday, August 31.

Speeding

Other businesses operate from the Brookend Farm light industrial site and residents claim there are many heavy lorries speeding along the lane at all times of the day and night, endangering children, elderly people and other road users.

Last month, Kempsey Parish Council heard that a councillor visiting the farm had seen 18 articulated lorries on the site.

Members have now decided to take the matter up with the Traffic Commissioner after objectors to Mr Davis's application raised their worries at a council meeting.

One spokesman said he had lived in Brookend Lane for 33 years and had never seen so much traffic.

He spoke of huge articulated lorries trying to pass a coach as schoolchildren were being dropped off, fully loaded pallet lorries passing cars at 40 or 50mph and several trailers being parked on the road outside the farm entrance late at night.

He described seeing a lorry stop a few yards from a child, who was rooted to the spot, terrified by the noise of the vehicle.

"It's extremely dangerous, the speed they are going down there. There is going to be a death, without doubt," he said.

Members questioned whether the standards of the road and the surrounding road network were suitable for the operation of heavy goods vehicles.

The noise of the lorries was made worse by the uneven road surface, while overhanging hedges obstructed visibility near a narrow bridge and chicane, they heard.

Chairman Joy Clee said letters must be sent to the Traffic Commissioner and Malvern Hills Highways Partnership, which is responsible for maintenance of the lane, urgently.

Substantial

A spokesman for the area office of the Traffic Commissioner said a licence to operate from the site had not yet been granted to Mr Davis.

The matter was likely to be called to public inquiry because of the number of representations received.

"I can't confirm how many letters we have received, but there are certainly substantial numbers. They are coming in thick and fast," she said.

"Those who have made representations will be informed of any forthcoming inquiry."