PARISH councillors in Tattenhall say the amount of heavy goods traffic coming through the village is destroying roads.

They have been receiving complaints from residents of up to 60 lorries thundering through the sleepy village each day carrying waste to and from nearby sites, which they say is degrading road edges and creating pot holes.

“It is a major problem,” said parish council chairman Carol Weaver.

“Over the last year the amount of traffic has increased and we are receiving regular complaints from residents about it.”

A member of the public was the latest to complain about the issue during a meeting of the parish council on Monday, adding that the traffic starts as early as 6.30am.

The main areas of concern are Gatesheath Lane and Newton Lane, though problems are also being reported in nearby Huxley and Tiverton.

Gatesheath Lane was resurfaced last summer but councillors say it points to a real problem if it has already started to degrade.

Carol admitted it was a difficult situation and added: “We are talking to the highways department as well as the environment agency and police, but we cannot stop them driving on public roads as long as they are entitled to do so.”

But vice chairman Graham Spencer said: “The idea that they have a licence and they can do what they want is an idea that I do not accept.

“When they close Newton Lane this summer to carry out the planned resurfacing work, all the traffic will come through Tattenhall and past the primary school – and that is unacceptable.”

Rachel Ashley of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “It is the most obvious diversion route but we would carry out a survey prior to confirming any decision.

“We would like to point out, however, that no matter what diversions are put in place, motorists will often use satellite navigation and find their own routes.

“We last surveyed Newton Lane at its crossroads with Tattenhall Road around 18 months ago, in 2009. From 7am to 7pm we observed eight small goods vehicles and just four heavy goods vehicles.”