CALLS have been made to halt a proposed 220 house development in Dinas Powys until a bypass is built.

Community councillors are urging the Vale council put the sale of the former St Cyres lower school site to Barratt Homes on hold amid anger from residents about a lack of adequate road infrastructure in the area.

Recently the Vale council has confirmed it is considering building a bypass as one of two suggestions highlighted in the first stage of a study in traffic issues and opportunities in Dinas Powys.

A public exhibition was held last Thursday (August 10) for residents to view the plans for the 220 houses.

But Plaid Cymru community councillors Richard Grigg and Chris Franks have called for the sale and development of the land to be delayed until progress is made on the bypass.

Cllr Grigg said: "At the public exhibition, which was attended by a significant number of residents, a lot of anger was expressed regarding the lack of adequate infrastructure associated with the development.

"Basically there is only one proposed exit from the site which will then use congested roads leading to an overcapacity junction at Cardiff Road and Murch Road.

"There are no proposals to improve the road network.

"It is worth remembering that a short distance away a further 70 houses are proposed off Caerleon Road.

"This junction was identified in the Local Development Plan as being at or above capacity.

"There are no proposals to improve this junction."

A spokeswoman for Barratts Homes said: "Following the public exhibition, we will continue to consult the public and all stakeholders with that process set to finish on September 8.

"Following this consultation phase, we will review all comments and make any reasonable amendments before the planning application is submitted to the Vale of Glamorgan Council towards the end of September."

Cllr Franks said: "So apart from the other considerations relating to the capacity of the local schools, the drainage system and loss of green fields, a key issue is the totally inadequate road and public transport network.

"Many residents consider that it is essential that traffic issues must be addressed before development is considered.

"The Dinas Powys bypass must be constructed before any additional traffic demand."

Local resident Stephen Pickard has said that Dinas Powys does not have the road capacity to support the construction phase, let alone the additional demands that would be placed on our highways with 220 new families in the area.

"Dinas Powys is already approaching gridlock during commuter hours," he said.

"As someone who uses public transport daily I can assure you that we cannot fit any more people on our trains.

"Our roads are dangerously overcrowded."