Anger over building firm’s new depot bid
RESIDENTS of a small street are taking on building merchants Travis Perkins in a David-and-Goliath-style battle over plans to extend its Sale depot.
Neighbours on Elm Grove say HGVs reversing down the narrow street already cause traffic delays and noise pollution, and fear expanding the site will only exacerbate the problems.
The company has applied to Trafford council to knock down its current site, as well as the adjoining Actavo site which it has taken over, and redevelop it as a larger building.
Wendy Snell, who lives in one of the homes closest to the depot, said: “We have massive HGVs turning up at 6am, waiting for it to open at 7am. They wake us up and block peoples’ cars in.
“One of our main concerns is access for emergency vehicles. Several times a day there are HGVs blocking the road and a back-up of traffic as a result – what happens if an ambulance or fire engine needs to get down?” Wendy is now going door to door with a petition, which she intends to present to Trafford council.
Martin Meech, group property director at Travis Perkins plc, said the firm wanted to reassure residents that safety was its highest priority and it did not anticipate an increase in traffic. A spokesman for Trafford council said it did not comment on current applications, but said that all representations would be taken into account.
He added that the application would be considered by the council’s planning committee early next year.