LORRIES delivering to factories near a Warminster residential estate are causing a safety hazard by blocking roads, say residents.

They claim that emergency services would be trapped if they had to attend a fire or accident in the Beech Grove area because lorry deliveries often causing traffic chaos.

An application from the Warminster Lighting Centre, which is based at the Old Silk Works, off Factory Lane, to change the use of their unit from industrial and office to industrial and warehouse was discussed by district councillors last Thursday.

Residents hit out at the plans, saying more lorries could bring things to a total standstill.

Shirley Painter, who lives on nearby Daniel Crest, believes the situation has got worse, not better, since a campaign was launched in June.

She said: "If there was a fire or emergency, there is no way they would get through. It could be a matter of life or death.

"Three afternoons last week I tried to get out of my street and it was totally blocked down Factory Lane. Big lorries are there all the time, it is a nightmare.

"More lorries would just be horrendous. I just don't know what the best thing would be, whatever you do you will never please everybody."

Councillors at West Wiltshire District Council's southern area committee, who agreed the situation in Beech Avenue is getting worse and the change of use would not benefit the community, voted to defer the application to allow a site visit next Thursday, which Mrs Painter believes will help them to see the situation themselves.

She said: "Knowing our luck when they come out to visit it will be a quiet time. They will be able to see how congested it is with the cars parking on the street at least. Something needs to be done."

Cllr Chris March said: "What we want to do in the long term is to persuade companies to move to a more convenient location like Crusader Park."