Link road 'preferred option' (From Witney Gazette)

Link road 'preferred option'

9:00am Wednesday 29th March 2006 in Witney By Andrew Alexander

A DECISION on Witney's £14m Cogges Link Road is not expected until the autumn but is still the 'preferred option'.

A long-awaited verdict on the road, which has been in the pipeline for 19 years, was originally expected from Oxfordshire County Council's planning and regulation committee last July.

It had to be put off while officers examined the impact of the mile-long road, which would cut through the Windrush Valley, to link Oxford Hill and Witan Way, and is intended to relieve traffic pressure in the town centre.

The plan was put on hold after a Government planning inspector raised serious concerns about it, advising West Oxfordshire District Council to look at other proposals including the suggestion, backed by campaigners, to create a four-way junction at the A40 at Shores Green.

The Environment Agency also said there were 'significant weaknesses' in the link road proposal, and the county council has since been carrying out an environmental assessment. Traffic surveys have also been carried out, with one such survey causing congestion in the town centre while the county council handed out questionnaires to drivers.

A number of people and organisations, including Euro MEP Caroline Lucas, have objected to the scheme on the grounds of damage to the environment, and the issue of whether the road will be effective has proved a divisive one in Witney.

"It was shown prior to the inspector's report that the Cogges Link Road was the best scheme. The inspector raised some issues we need to look into, but at this time, it is still our preferred option."

David Robertson, the county council's cabinet member for transport

Colin Fowler of the Witney Society, said: "The inspector recommended that Shores Green and the second part of the West End Link Road might solve the problem, without the significant environmental damage the Cogges Link would cause."

David Robertson, the county council's cabinet member for transport, said the planning application could be considered by this autumn, and construction could start by late 2009.

He said: "It was shown prior to the inspector's report that the Cogges Link Road was the best scheme. The inspector raised some issues we need to look into, but at this time, it is still our preferred option."