Villagers in Great Ashfield, between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, object to plans by Portable Space, in Bacton, to expand haulage operation at Red House Farm

Villagers in Great Ashfield, near Elmswell, are objecting to plans which they say will double the size of a haulage operation, as they fear it will lead to more, serious, road accidents.

The director of David Black & Son Ltd which owns the site near Bacton, said the company was working with Mid Suffolk District Council to address any comments raised about the application to change the use of the agricultural land at Red House Farm in Rectory Road.

If approved the area near Stowmarket will be used to store large containers and portable cabins, for haulage firm Portable Space.

Residents of Great Ashfield, near Elmswell, are already unhappy with the number of Portable Space vehicles travelling along Wetherden Road and School Road.

Bob Riches, who has lived in the village for 26 years, said he believed lorry drivers were using the roads as a rat run between Elmswell Road, Elmswell, and the A14.

He said: “Wetherden Road and School Road are unclassified roads with blind bends and limited passing places and traffic regularly has to pull into narrow verges with deep ditches by the side of them to allow these monsters to squeeze past.

“Wetherden Road has a 60mph speed limit and it only needs a small error by a driver to end up in a ditch if confronted by one of these lorries.”

Mr Riches added: “The company has an ambitious five-year expansion plan. If this application is approved, this will only lead to further plans for further expansion, and further chaos on roads clearly already unsuitable for their lorries.”

Great Ashfield Parish Council and Mid Suffolk District Councillor Richard Winch have also objected to the plans.

Cllr Winch said he had spoken to residents worried about the amount of traffic in the village, who were becoming particularly concerned the area was unsafe for walking.

He said: “The junction from School Road on to Elmswell Road is particularly worrying as Elmswell Road is a busy road with cars often breaking the speed limit. There have recently been two serious accidents and there is a likelihood of further accidents.”

James Black, managing director of David Black & Son Ltd, said: “Our current planning application will consolidate various storage locations in the local area. Portable Space carefully considers the routes its lorries take, prioritises safety and complies with local and national highway guidance.”