Developers planning to build 605 houses at Money Hill in Ashby have been warned they could have 'blood on their hands' if they allow extra levels of construction traffic to use Nottingham Road.

Fears have been raised among Ashby de la Zouch Town Councillors and local residents over plans to send heavy vehicles along the already busy route.

It had been understood by the Town Council's planning committee that most of the construction traffic would access the site via the A511 Ashby bypass.

But fears were also discussed at a planning meeting last September Construction traffic concerns under spotlight at Ashby Town Council meeting.

And on Monday, Cllr Mike Ball raised more concerns with the developers over suggestions that it could use Nottingham Road more than expected - and add to an already estimated 15,000 vehicles using the route in and out of Ashby in future.

Cllr Ball said this was 'an accident waiting to happen' with Ashby School and a number of stores, including Tesco, in the area.

He also added that the builders could have 'blood on their hands' if something were to happen as a result of the added congestion caused by vehicles using the site.

A local resident also suggested the idea was 'ludicrous and inappropriate'.

Taylor Wimpey and Bloor Homes will be constructing the properties and they hope to start work in the Autumn if they get the green light from North West Leicestershire District Council.

That would mean a new roundabout being constructed on the A511 Ashby by-pass to allow access to the development.

But work would also begin on Nottingham Road where the sales area would be situated.

However, it had been thought that only minimal works traffic would be needed for that.

Cllr Ball directed his fears to Caroline Chave, the agent acting on behalf of the developers, who was present at Monday's planning committee meeting and agreed to put the criticisms to her clients.

Cllr Ball said: "I still remain concerned and confused about the access arrangements.

"It wasn't my understanding that that anything other than the works traffic needed to create the access point and Nos 3 and 5, would be coming along Nottingham Road.

"I understood that work needed on the area behind those houses would come from the A511 access point.

"I thought that would be the first thing you did, you already have planning permission for that now.

"Why aren't you cracking on with that so that the work necessary can be done at the rear of those houses?

"Nottingham Road, as it's been pointed out, is an accident waiting to happen.

"In fact, they happen there with great regularity.

"What you're expecting from the town is completely unreasonable.

"We seem to be making a car park by going through Nos 3 and 5.

"Think about the people who live there and use Nottingham Road every day.

"The last number I had for the road was 15,000 vehicles a day and it's going to be a dog's dinner.

"Conditions can be horrendous in the mornings and afternoons when the children are going to and from school.

"There could be blood on somebody's hands - and it could be yours.

"I would think very carefully about what you're doing.

"The attention and money should be spent on the A511 access."

Cllr Ball also wanted plans for a footpath and cycleway clarified.

He added: "Tot the sums up, you have permission to build 605 houses.

"Think about the revenue that's coming. It must be £200-300million coming in, surely you must have a few bob to spend on a footpath and cycleway sorted out to make it safe for people to get into town. It's in your interest to invest in this quickly.

"The residents are going to have a rough time over this - you should be doing more for them."

Cllr David Bigby said Leicestershire County Council need to speak to Ashby de la Zouch Town Council regarding the footpath plans and a new pedestrian crossing.

Cllr Dan Harrison said: "Any interruption to the traffic along there would see massive impact on the top Tesco Roundabout and in the town itself, it will become quite a serious traffic hazard.

"It was thought there would be limited work along there, which was quite soothing.

"But that seems to have altered. If we have extra large lorries, heavy machinery and workers, that'll cause a logjam and it will be dangerous.

"I'm also concerned about air pollution along that road. It'll be a hazard to human health."

Ms Chave responded: "I've tried to make it clear what works traffic will come along Nottingham Road.

"It wasn't in people's minds that the construction of the car park which will have to be constructed from the Nottingham Road access. It was all in the outline planning permission.

"We want to make clear things that will happen in the construction programme and do that as early as possible, we're still working on amendments to the scheme.

"We've been talking about a worst case scenario that may not happen, so I need to get some clarity, bringing that back to a further meeting would be helpful."