FEARS a new housing estate will create traffic gridlock in Pershore have been expressed by a general election hopeful.

Daniel Walton, Labour’s candidate for West Worcestershire, is concerned that the 86-home development in Station Road will leave roads “completely swamped” because planners did not demand a corridor of space through the houses for a future relief road.

The controversial proposals, which faced opposition from some councillors, were approved by Wychavon District Council on Thursday, March 5.

Mr Walton said: “Speaking to local people, I am taken aback by the way they feel abandoned and ignored by their own local councillors.

“People are not against new homes but they are acutely worried that local roads, already grid-locked at peak time, will be completely swamped.

“A relief road has long been spoken of but councillors say this cannot be considered.”

Peter Brookbank, Labour’s candidate for Wychavon District Council and Pershore Town Council, added: “We are not against building new homes.

“They will bring vitality and additional prosperity to our delightful town.

“But it cannot be done on the back of an inadequate road system that dates back to the 1930s - infrastructure must be put in place.”

Councillor Paul Middlebrough, leader of the Conservative group atWychavon District Council, however defended the council’s approach.

He said “we don’t under-estimate the concerns of local residents” but added a relief road could create problems for people in other areas of the town.

Speaking at the planning meeting when the 86-home development was approved, fellow Conservative, Councillor David Botheridge, added: “Unfortunately it’s not a proposal [the relief road] that has any back from Worcestershire council highways or included in the South Worcestershire Development Plan.

“Refusal would result in an appeal being lost by Wychavon.”

The issue of house building has also sparked strong words from the rival parties.

Mr Walton has hit out the Conservatives in Wychavon for alleged “hypocrisy” and a “betrayal” of its 2007 election promise, as outlined in a campaign leaflet, to fight development in the area.

But Cllr Middlebrough has labelled these comments as “naïve political opportunism” and explained that Conservatives had fought proposals championed by John Prescott for even more housing in the area.