PLANS tp open a bookies on a congested Warndon road have been delayed after major concerns it would lead to noise, traffic and parking problems.

Coral bookmakers has been told a new betting shop will not get the go-ahead in Ambleside Drive unless highways experts deem it suitable.

A furious resident turned up at a city council planning committee to say it would be "the end of peace and tranquillity" if a bookmaker ever gets the nod. Coral wants to take over the premises belonging to a dry cleaners at number 61, and open from 8am to 10pm six days a week and 9am to 7pm on Sundays.

The block already has a newsagents, video shop, chip shop and off-licence and suffers from a lack of parking.

Yvonne Logan, who lives on Ambleside Drive, said: "From 3pm onwards, 500 cars an hour pass by our street. The parking for residents is abysmal, and I bet a dry cleaners does not attract cars like a betting shop would - people will park up and stay all day.

"I'm also concerned it would attract the wrong type of punter - with the opening times. It would be the end for peace and tranquillity.

"There are five residents living above the shops and they all have problems parking because there are no allocated spaces, so customers park around the front and back." There is also a concern over speeding cars who 'rat run' through the area.

Coun Geoff Williams said: "This is a very successful shopping parade and several of the establishments, like the chip shop, stay open until late.

"The traffic in the area is busy seven days a week, and there is considerable speeding and rat running. We need to defer this matter to look at the whole issue again."

The proposals will now require input from highways experts on traffic and parking issues before it is given proper consideration next month.

A spokeswoman for Coral, who also attended the meeting to present its case, said: "Running a licensed betting office is not to be underestimated, and Coral takes its responsibilities seriously.

"Our research has shown more than half the people visiting a betting shop do so on foot, and I can't see why this one won't be any different."