ANGRY residents claim they have been kept in the dark over proposals for a major new road past their homes.
The two mile stretch of road, complete with a flyover across the Greenway and the Avon, is earmarked to run from the Rosebird Centre to Luddington Road near the racecourse. It is aimed at relieving traffic congestion in the town, and is included in Stratford District Council’s proposed Core Strategy outlining future development in the area.
But residents living near the Evesham Road where the flyover will ‘land’ say they have only just found out about the proposal. They voiced their anger at a packed meeting at Luddington Village Hall on Tuesday.
And they have less than a week to make their feelings known as the deadline for objections on the key planning document closes on Thursday.
Resident Marion Homer, who attended meeting, said: “To be honest I can’t believe what I heard – how can so many residents be in ignorance over this massive project that will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on our local environment?
“The Bordon Hill area is already an accident black spot and the addition of this new road will only serve to make things worse. I know the local authority needs a plan to cope with the extra housing we are told we need but the infrastructure plans around it seem extremely poorly thought out, and also extremely secretive.
“Residents of Stratford owe it to themselves to do what they can and lodge their objections by May 12 – with enough support there is chance we can stop this.”
Coun Peter Morse is sceptical the 60mph A road would even do its job.
He told The Observer: “I’m not convinced at all it will relieve town centre traffic. People traveling from the new Long Marston development will find the natural route to take is to come along the Evesham Road if they want to come into the town.
“Measures are also needed to mitigate the flood dangers of the road – it will be crossing over part of the flood plain around the Avon. I think it is important residents make their voices heard about this matter.”
Developer Cala Homes would pay towards the cost of the road under the terms of the Core Strategy. Plans for the road are still basic and no engineering plans have yet been drawn up.
Residents have set up a Facebook page to oppose the road. Search ‘Western Relief’.
