RESIDENTS living on Dudlow Green Road fear more traffic headaches if the village's new medical centre goes ahead.

Health bosses from Appleton Primary Care are studying feedback after they outlined their proposals to the public at an exhibition in August.

But frustrated villagers, with houses near the proposed site, say the awkward bends on Dudlow Green Road force residents to back on to an already busy road and a greater flow of traffic will lead to more accidents.

The centre, thought to be long overdue by many in Appleton, is expected to house Appleton Primary Care, which is currently in temporarily accommodation, and Stretton Medical Centre and National Co-op Chemists.

Blueprints for the medical centre include moves to demolish the existing parish hall and build a new facility next to the centre that could house future parish council meetings.

But Lawrie Martin, who lives on Dudlow Green Road, berated councillors who backed the project, saying: "I have not received any answers. They think that they are getting a free parish hall without paying. What is wrong with the present hall? Parish councillors said there were problems with the roof, but this does not mean it should be knocked down."

But a spokesman for Appleton Parish Council insisted that itwould not reply to individual letters as it had not yet been approached with a firm proposal.

Clerk Peter Briggs added: "The plans we saw at the exhibition were slightly different to what we envisaged. When we receive a proposal, we will go through plans with a fine toothcomb and invite the public to air their views again."

Many people are anxious that the proposed Appleton centre could be underused with Stockton Heath Medical Centre currently having 17,000 patients, with 5000 from Appleton.

What do you think of the new medical centre? Let us know contact the newsdesk on editor@guardiangrp.co.uk or contact 434115.