THE building of the B&Q distribution centre has left local residents living in a noise and dust nightmare.

People living in Highworth Road, opposite the new centre, feel they have not been taken into consideration as the road outside their homes has been turned into a building site.

As part of the £70m new B&Q distribution centre, which will be the biggest building in Swindon when completed, there has been major work on the road, including a new footpath, cycleway and bus lane.

Jill Hopes has been left concerned that the work carried out to the road has made it dangerous for the residents and cyclists who use it.

“I can’t fault the workers, they have been fantastic but the works have caused a number of issues,” she said.

“There has been an awful lot of noise and dust and the disruption caused has made it hard to live with.

“What also worries me is the danger aspect of having to pull out from our drive across a pavement, cycle path and a bus lane onto a busy road.

“I just don’t think they have thought it through properly.

“I know it will create a lot of jobs and I am not one to stand in the way of progress but it doesn’t feel like we have been thought about.”

Andy and Christine Ings, owners of nearby guesthouse Rulfcott Lodge, say their business has incurred a loss of between £4,000 and £5,000 as a result of the building work.

Andy, who has been running the business for 10 years, said: “It has had an adverse effect on the business. I am hoping it is going to return to some sort of normality when it is all complete, but the problem is they have installed a pelican crossing right by my drive, as well as a cycle path.

“Anybody getting in and out of my drive now has to negotiate a cycle path, a bus lane and a pelican crossing. It makes it very difficult.

“In fact, if I didn’t have a B&B and I wanted to apply for permission now to turn my home into one, they would refuse me planning permission because of the access. It’s crazy.

“We have lost money, and I don’t accept the fact that Gazeley the developers say the builders are staying in local B&Bs. We have only had about £400 worth of business from them since October. They are more likely to be renting a place for the duration, which is down to their personal choice.

“I know people will stand up and say this is bringing 500 jobs to the town, and I know it is important to have jobs, but in general the feeling we get is ‘talk to the hand’.”

The 98-acre Triangle Site, adjacent to the A419, will bring 500 new jobs to the town with B&Q using the premises as a central delivery warehouse for the south of England and it will be up and running in just over a year, being fully operational by January 2012.

Gary Mealing, of Swindon’s Chamber of Commerce, defended the development, saying the additional jobs created meant there would be an extra “500 families that have someone working in the town.”

“The success of the Swindon economy relies on there being people employed in and around Swindon,” he said.

Development firm Gazeley has been working with council officers to draw up a plan which is intended to minimise disturbance to road users, particularly by avoiding work on the carriageway during rush hours.

A spokesman for primer contractors Mclaren said: “We have been in constant contact with the residents near to the development site and weren’t aware of any problems.

“We have a 24-hour telephone number which residents can call if they have any issues they would like to discuss which is available on 07733235018. Our project manager is hoping to speak with residents individually today.”