OVER 1,000 people have signed a petition in favour of a new Stratford relief road.
The £90million to £180million corridor would run from the A46 (West of Shottery Relief Road) in the north, cross the River Avon, connect to the B439 Evesham Road, and terminate at Campden Road (B4632).
The road forms a crucial part of the South Warwickshire Local Plan which will provide in excess of 28,000 new homes across the district.
Supporters of the relief road state the town is facing growing congestion, worsening air quality and increasing pressure on its main roads and residents, businesses and visitors experience daily delays because there is no suitable alternative route to bypass the town.
They say the relief road would create such a route and include an alternative crossing over the river Avon, taking the pressure off the ancient, fragile Clopton Bridge, which now carries more than 22,000 vehicles daily.
A spokesperson for Bearley Wilmcote Action Group said: “Major roads into the town centre including Tiddington Road, Birmingham Road, Warwick Road, Banbury Road, Shipston Road, Evesham Road, Alcester Road and Seven Meadows Road are already heavily congested with commuter, tourism and delivery traffic. Residents regularly face daily bottlenecks, unreliable journeys, worsening pollution and severe delays during roadworks or accidents.
“A relief road would reduce through traffic, ease pressure on Clopton Bridge, improve emergency access and create safer conditions for walking and cycling.”
Opponents have stated the relief road would open up the town to further development beyond the 28,000 new homes outlined in the local plan.
The petition, signed by more than 1,080 people from Stratford and the wider area, will be presented to a meeting of Stratford District Council on Monday (June 8).
