FEARS have been raised that someone could be killed if traffic problems on a Whitchurch Street continue.

Brian Gresty, who runs Whitchurch Sports in Watergate Street, spoke out after a lorry delivering to a pub mounted the pavement to deliver goods to a nearby pet shop and hit his shop door.

Mr Gresty, who has run the shop for around 35 years, said that the door was badly damaged by the lorry, which was reversing to avoid traffic.

He added that the side of the double door that was hit sustained would cost around £2,000 to repair, but that this would be covered by insurance.

His main concern was the safety of customers, adding: "If it had hit the door that was closed it could have crashed straight into the two customers behind it."

Mr Gresty added that his shop had also been hit twice in the past two years by vehicles reversing as they met traffic from Tesco.

There are several problems with the road between The Bulls Head pub and the former Wright Manley, Mr Gresty added.

"For many years this road was a dead end, but now it is a thoroughfare to Tesco. There are cars parked on either side of the road and on both pavements every day of the week," he said.

"The numbers of accidents being caused are numerous and one occasion I saw a vehicle reverse into a pram. Sooner or later I believe someone could be killed. I have reported these accidents to both Tesco and the Town Hall, but neither party seemed interested. Do we have to have a fatality before action can be taken?"

Nicola Young, clerk for Whitchurch Town Council, said that Mr Gresty has reported the matter and it had been referred to Shropshire Council as it is the highways authority.

She added that Tesco is the lease which extends to the give way sign coming out of the store.

A Tesco spokesman said: “We are sorry to hear about the damage caused to Mr Gresty’s shop by a reversing vehicle. We would always encourage our customers to access our car park from the main entrance via Bridgewater Street.”

Victoria Doran, Shropshire Council’s highways manager –north, said: “Shropshire Council has not been made aware of the details regarding the incidents that Mr Gresty refers to. The road in question is managed by Tesco, and Tesco would need to consider funding for any additional restrictions. However, there are existing parking restrictions at the junction and on Watergate, including outside the shop.”