A BROADWAY development for 70 houses and offices on the former Gordon Russell site has come in for criticism from parish councillors.

The water supply, they say is not adequate for the site, which has been partially developed, and more disruption is on the cards in the summer when Back Lane is to be blocked off for resurfacing.

Eddie Vickers, clerk to Broadway Parish Council said: "The water main is inadequate for the supplies for the estate. Severn Trent are doing this back to front. They're upgrading the water main but why couldn't they have done it earlier. The inconvenience will last three to four weekends."

The pedestrian access area that runs from Broadway High Street to Back Lane is also set to be used by traffic for six to eight weeks during the summer when Back Lane is closed for resurfacing work.

Mr Vickers added: "I'm concerned about the health and safety of any visitors to our office and neighbouring offices. This is supposed to be a pedestrian area. It's a gross inconvenience to the number of people buying houses here and to visitors to the area."

The parish council moved to its purpose-built unit behind the former Gordon Russell offices in the High Street about three weeks ago.

Kevin Grice, development director of Chase Homes, said an old water main was currently in use for locals, and the new main would be used for the 70 houses to be built on the estate.

He said: "The water couldn't go in until the roads were in because the water mains follow the new kerb lines. We are obliged to carry out resurfacing work on Back Lane under the planning conditions."

Caroline Hosie, spokeswoman for Severn Trent Water said: "The work is to connect a new housing development with tap water. Nothing is officially arranged as yet. The aim is to do it around April, and we did discuss the possibility of doing it at weekends."