FEARS have been raised council chiefs are ‘sleep walking’ into a situation which could see a £30million relief road built in Stratford.
Stratford Residents Action Group (SRAG) have voiced concerns about the proposed south western relief road, which is intended to relieve traffic through the town.
The two mile stretch of road, complete with a flyover across the Greenway and the Avon, is earmarked to run from the Shipston Road to Evesham Road near the racecourse. It is included in the Core Strategy, which will shape the future of the district up to 2031.
The group say the road would not improve traffic flow and that its construction would destroy green space and increase flood risk.
SRAG spokeswoman Marion Homer said: “Our fear is that local councillors are sleep walking into a situation where an area rich in biodiversity will be destroyed and for no good reason.
“By approving the Core Strategy to meet central government house building targets, they have allowed this road to be ‘slipped in’ with little or no consideration on impact or alternative routes.
“Intentionally or otherwise, councillors are duping residents by suggesting that linking the yet-to-be built Shottery estate road with the so-called SW Relief Road will relieve traffic.
“The reality will be very different. The relief road will bring in thousands of extra cars and HGVs into Shottery increasing jams along the Evesham Road.”
SRAG will be holding a meeting on Monday July 17 where they will give an update on their campaign to relocate the road.
The meeting at Luddington Village Hall, starting at 7.30pm, is open all.
Council infrastructure spokesman Coun Peter Richards said: “We welcome open interaction with residents of Stratford and those directly affected by these proposals. Representatives of both Stratford District Council and Warwickshire County Council will be in attendance to listen to the concerns raised by the action group.”
