ROAD safety fears have been raised after construction got under way opposite a school in Haydon Bridge.

Bellway Homes has started building 75 new homes on land immediately west of the existing Showfield development, where 45 houses were constructed a decade ago.

But to reach the new development site, lorries and other work vehicles are driving through the existing Showfield estate via its only access, off Langley Road, just yards from Shaftoe Trust Primary School’s western entrance.

Residents say lorries accessing the estate are coming into conflict with school traffic, including cars, taxis and buses; and causing a dangerous bottleneck.

Resident Kathleen McKirkle said people living in the Showfield were also worried about road safety within the estate, with lorries passing several homes to reach the new development site.

She added: “Heavy articulated wagons carrying machinery and huge pipes are negotiating this road through a narrow entrance way opposite the primary school, and passing several bungalows on the estate.

“The access is very limited. It is through a one-way street with houses on either side. Residents are being blocked in by the wagons offloading, and the road is muddy.”

Geoff Jackson, chairman of governors at the school, said: “There are worries over road safety. We didn’t object to the development itself, but we did raise concerns about the increased usage of the Showfield entrance once the 75 new homes are occupied. Use of this entrance by works traffic is a concern and is something we will pay close attention to.”

Concerns have also been raised about works traffic adding to congestion on nearby Shaftoe Street.

Nobody at Bellway Homes was available for comment.