The pond in Stage Lane.
RESIDENTS and business owners in Stag Lane, Newport, claim their lives are being disrupted because of building and development work.
Extensive works are under way, sponsored by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA, incorporating a new road down Stag Lane towards the new Vestas research and development building, which is also under construction.
SEEDA said this week the new access road and car park would create an entrance to the new Vestas Technology Centre, expected to create up to 400 jobs.
"SEEDA is aware of the issues around the roadworks and the completion of the car park at Stag Lane and is working with the contractors and consultants to minimise the impact on local residents," a spokeswoman said.
She added the roadworks were being carried out as quickly as possible and were expected to be completed by August.
But Alan Stay, owner of Stag Lane Motors, said: "The work started with scores of trees and hedges being chopped down to make way for this new stretch of road, with no concern, it seemed, for the environment.
"When it rains all the clay is churned up and covers our vehicles and the conditions are horrendous.
"The pond further down the road is in grave danger because the new road is actually lower than the pond and the old road has just been smashed up right next to it.
"The once picturesque view of the River Medina from Whippingham has now been spoilt as well, with this huge factory on the site of the old cement mills."
Beryl Klei, 77, whose Stag Lane home has been in her family for more than 80 years, said: "I cannot believe the scale of what is being done. We had no idea of the size of the work. It has just been imposed on us.
"This used to be a quiet and peaceful country lane full of wildlife, but that has all gone. When it rains there is mud and clay everywhere and then when it dries we can’t open our windows because of all the dust.
"The noise starts about 7.30am and lasts until about 5pm. Huge lorries come bounding down the road and they actually make my house shake. It has made our lives a misery."
Reporter: jamiew@iwcpmail.co.uk