A PEACEFUL housing estate in Westbury now resembles a motorway at rush hour since development started on a new housing estate, say residents who have had enough.

Several people living in The Mead area have contacted the Wiltshire Times to lament the conditions they are living in, claiming that their houses are shaking and noise levels have risen to an unbearable level as a result of lorries speeding past.

Carol Handscombe, who lives just off The Mead, sent in a letter titled ‘Nightmare at The Mead’, in which she describes her situation as like ‘living on the side of a motorway.’

The 66-year-old said: “The noise is just dreadful. Along with neighbours, I have spoken to the council and highways and they think that the police should monitor the road and send letters to anyone who is caught speeding.

“I don’t think that would do much to help but at least it would highlight just how bad the problem is.

“The couple living opposite me have decided to put their house up for sale because they can’t stand the noise, which shows how bad it’s getting.”

There is currently a diversion in place for 20 weeks in nearby Hawkeridge which, according to some, is forcing more traffic down The Mead and worsening the problem.

Eddie Belsten, 68, said: “The main problem is the amount of quarry lorries coming back and forward all day long, which shake the buildings constantly. I worry that they will cause damage.

“It doesn’t take much for a truck that size to cause serious vibrations which could easily damage properties.

“There’s also a big road sweeper which goes up and down the road twice a day, even when it’s not needed. The noise is overpowering.

“Some of the trucks leave the site with muddy tyres, causing the road to become muddy, and the mud is then cleaned by the sweeper. It’s relentless.

“The only thing we can hope for is that traffic eases down after the diversion in Hawkeridge ends."

Wiltshire Council accepted a planning application for 300 houses to be built on land next to Eden Vale lake in May, which caused the increase in heavy goods vehicles driving through Westbury.

Councillor David Jenkins said: “There are various issues in The Mead that we are aware of.

“We have applied for a MetroCount, which is a device that will clock traffic and feed data back to us. We will take it from there once that is in place.

"I don't think speed bumps are the answer because they can actually cause more noise and vibration when cars go over them.

“There’s only so much we can do, it’s up to motorists being sensible and sticking to the limit.”