MULTIPLE daily deliveries to a new convenience store could lead to an accident, it is claimed.

Residents in Maltings Lane, Witham, say the My Local store on the site of the former Jack and Jenny pub in Hatfield Road is receiving up to four deliveries a day.

The lorries sometimes park on the bend close to the junction with Hatfield Road when two turn up at the same time, leading to concerns about safety.

The former pub was turned into a Morrisons M Local store last year but the chain was bought out in September.

Maltings Lane resident Tom Green told a Witham Town Council meeting on Monday the situation was becoming “dangerous”.

He said: “On the first day of opening there were four lorries and they delivered from 7am until 9am.

“They could have a potential accident on their hands.

“The noise they make backing in wakes us up. I think this is unacceptable, it’s not fair to the residents of Maltings Lane.”

My Local owner Mike Greene said in September the chain would be supplied by Nisa, but he also vowed to stock products from local firms, while bread is delivered in a Hovis lorry.

Planning permission was not needed to change the use of the building, but in a planning decision on fixtures and fittings Braintree Council advised the company about delivery times.

The non-binding advice said: “You are asked to ensure that deliveries are timed to avoid early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays and also peak times when the highway network is busiest in order to minimise any disruption and/or disturbance to local residents.”

Town councillor Michael Lager said: “I think Braintree Council have asked nicely for them to take notice of residents’ interests but they take no notice.

“I think Braintree Council and the North Essex Parking Partnership now need to show there is an iron fist within the velvet glove.

“It’s an abuse of the situation.”

Mr Lager said the council could ask for double yellow lines to be painted close to the store’s entrance.