MP backs battle to keep transporters off streets

Residents concerned at the use of their streets as an access route for car transporters to the East of England Showground have secured the support of a city MP.

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara has vowed to work with residents to secure what he says is a ‘resolution’ to the use of the Showground entrance in Dunblane Drive.

The residential street is being used by DHL to move up to eight car transporters each working day to a car storage and distribution depot on the Showground.

The depot is the subject of a retrospective planning application by the Showground operatorAEPGforatemporary change of use of the site that has been submitted to Peterborough

City Council.

Mr Vara recently met with residents Andrew Sneden, Howard Dunn, Natalie Henry and Brian Williams on behalf of other householders opposing the application

He said: “They spoke of large car transporters queuing at the entrance, stretching back to a nearby roundabout, causingtrafficchaosandadanger to pedestrians.

"I share their concerns and have been in contact with Cllr

Marco Cereste, the council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning, Housing and Transport, urging him to take swift action.

Mr Vara added: "The current use of the site is causing a very dangerous situation that needs to be dealt with promptly. I very much hope that commonsensewillprevailandthat those responsible start using the Showground’s main entrance.”

Mr Sneden said: “I like many residents, have submitted objections to the council’s planning department, in relation to the change of use of the Showground to car storage, maintenanceanddistribution operation.

"In particular, I strenuously object to the use of the Dunblane Drive entrance to the Showground.

"Accessinganindustrialoperation through what is essentially a residential area is now causing significant disruption to residents.”

The comments from Mr Vara come as officials of the National Highways have asked the council to defer a decision ontheplanningapplicationuntil more details have been provided by AEPG about its traffic assessments.

A spokesperson for AEPG said: “We are working closely with the council and National Highways to ensure they have all the factual detail for the application traffic volumes.’’