CORTEGES for fallen soldiers from the Afghan conflict, will go through Brize Norton and around the edge of Carterton as they travel to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, it was confirmed last night.

The Oxford Mail reported in April that Oxfordshire County Council and police were consulting on the new route for military repatriations when they are moved from RAF Lyneham to Brize Norton in September.

Hundreds of people currently gather at Wootton Bassett, near Lyneham, to pay their respects to the dead, along with many others who meet the cortege near the hospital, in Headley Way, Oxford.

However, the Wiltshire base is set to close with personnel moved to Oxfordshire. And that will see repatriations redirected to Brize – the main airbase supplying the Afghan effort.

It had been suggested the route could go through the centre of Carterton, allowing people to gather en masse in the town centre.

But concerns were raised over traffic problems because repatriations usually take place on a Thursday – Carterton’s market day.

Instead, a memorial garden will be built in Norton Way, Carterton, giving a place for families and friends wishing to honour the procession to congregate.

Council deputy leader David Robertson said: “We hope all local people and organisations will now be able to put differences of opinion behind them and unite, so Oxfordshire can bring the same atmosphere of reverence and solemnity to these occasions that people in Wootton Bassett have achieved.

“We will keep a very close eye on how things go when repatriations move to RAF Brize Norton and will respond if any difficulties arise.”

The route will see the corteges leave the eastern side of the base, go into Brize Norton, turning left into Carterton Road, then travelling along Norton Way, Monahan Way and out towards the A40 at Minster Lovell to Oxford.

They will then turn into Marsh Lane at Marston and take Headley Way to the hospital.

Royal British Legion member Steve Radband, 49, whose son Lance Corporal David Radband, 25, is currently on his third tour of Afghanistan, said: “I would have liked to have seen the soldiers brought back through the front gate but the RAF will have their reasons for taking that route.

“I am sure that Carterton, Bampton, Brize and the surrounding villages will make sure the young men that are coming home get the best treatment possible.”

Concerns had been raised about speed bumps, but the council tested the route with a hearse.

County council spokesman Paul Smith said Carterton town centre was ruled out not just because of issues over the market, but because Oxfordshire Coroner Nicholas Gardiner was against a detour which may delay the cortege.

The memorial garden will be jointly funded by Oxfordshire county and West Oxfordshire District councils.

  • The bodies of three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan will be flown home tomorrow.

Tributes will be paid to Lance Corporal Martin Gill, 22, of 42 Commando, Corporal Michael Pike, 26, from 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and Rifleman Martin Lamb from the 1st Battalion The Rifles. The cortege is expected to reach the John Radcliffe Hospital at 7pm.