TRANSPORT experts have poured cold water on Screwfix's hopes of opening a new shop in Herefordshire.

The Hereford Times previously reported how the chain with 800 shops nationwide wanted to open in Bromyard's Station Industrial Estate.

Now, Herefordshire Council's transport department has said plans could see an unacceptable impact on the surrounding road network and "conflict" between road users.

Recruitment has also started, and the DIY chain, owned by Kingfisher PLC which also owns B&Q, has applied for planning permission to turn an industrial estate unit into a shop.

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Screwfix said there would be about 38 trips to the site every day and during peak morning and afternoon periods, the development is expected to generate one trip every 10 or so minutes.

There would be four car parking spaces at the shop, one of which would be disabled, if Herefordshire Council planners grant permission, and there would be an average of three lorries will visit the site to make deliveries in a normal week, it said.

Lorries will enter the industrial estate from the Stourport road and deliver to the back of the unit.

But as part of the consultation process for the proposed new shop, transport experts have slammed the idea.

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After previously telling Screwfix that its plans needed more thought, but has now heavily criticised the scheme, which could see 12 new jobs created.

Herefordshire Council's transport department said Screwfix's servicing strategy said that deliveries will happen on-street despite the presence of double yellow line "no waiting at any time" markings, and there had been no proof that lorries could use Station Road – which is private.

"As there is no HGV parking present on site and there are no appropriate alternative routes for servicing that would avoid the low-level bridges the servicing strategy is not considered acceptable," experts said.

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There isn't sufficient space at the back of the unit for servicing, staff car parking, overflow customer parking and customer collections, experts ruled.

This would see "demand exceeding supply and an unacceptable impact on the surrounding road network".

The operation of the shop is dependent on staff moving their cars for deliveries and bulk item collections to an undetermined location, they added.

Such arrangements were considered "unsatisfactory" by transport experts and due to the spatial configuration of the site this "could lead to potential conflicts between road users".

The four car parking spaces for customers was also deemed to be too low, particularly at peak times, and cycling isn't promoted – despite transport experts saying Screwfix's product range includes items that could be picked up by cyclists.

Consultation has now closed, with Herefordshire Council planners set to make a decision on the scheme.