Somercotes: Building site lorries 'passing inches from homes'

Dennis Martin says HGVs are mounting the kerb and driving close to windows

Residents have complained lorries are driving on the pavement inches from their homes to access a building site.

One man told the BBC heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were travelling "eight inches" from his front window in Stanley Street, Somercotes, Derbyshire.

Residents also say mud is continually being splattered on their homes.

A spokesperson from Miller Homes, which is responsible for the building site, said safety was its "number one priority".

Mud has been splattered from HGVs onto doors and windows, residents in Stanley Street said

Planning permission was granted in April 2023 by Amber Valley Borough Council for the construction of 180 affordable homes.

Since construction started on Stanley Street, residents said vehicles going to the site were wrecking the road.

They added big lumps of mud were littered across the street and kerbs had been dislodged, creating a tripping hazard.

Video footage seen by the BBC shows a HGV driving along the pavement, inches away from people's homes.

Damaged kerbs on Stanley Street have become a tripping hazard, residents have said

Dennis Martin, who has lived on the street for 78 years, told the BBC: "Sometimes the lorries come by and they are about eight inches away from my front window."

The house, including his front door and windows, are covered in mud from the passing traffic heading to the building site.

"We had some friends come the other day and she sat in a chair [near the window] and the lorry came down and she got up and ran into the other room - she thought it was going to come through the house," he added.

"My wife has just had two hips replaced, if she's out on the pavement and a lorry comes then she won't be able to get out of the way quick enough."

Another resident affected is Peter Brewster.

He said: "It's the filth [it brings] and no matter what we can't get out of it. It's a complete misery."

Peter Raggett has also spoken out against the HGVs. He said his grandson's partner, who is in a wheelchair, is struggling to get out of the house because the road is so filthy.

Councillor Steven Tomlinson said they have had numerous complaints

Somercotes Parish Council has called for lorries to be directed to use an alternative route to access the site.

Councillor Steven Tomlinson said: "The resident are scared. Their doors lead straight out onto the [pavement]."

A spokesperson for Miller Homes, the firm behind the construction, said: "We have been appointed by Futures Housing Group as a responsible developer to deliver these homes, with safety being the number one priority when designing the approved traffic management plan, as well as ensuring minimal disruption to nearby residents."

The company also sent photos to the BBC showing other large vehicles not associated with Miller Homes mounting the kerb.