Watlington traders concerned about relief road scheme

Plans to divert traffic away from a town high street have led some businesses to express concern they will be badly affected.

Oxfordshire County Council wants a relief road in Watlington in order to remove vehicles from an area with "traffic-related challenges".

The road would provide access to the B4009 from either side of Watlington.

Local trader Loraine Daniels said there was a "lot of concern" among shop owners in the area.

Ms Daniels, who has been joint owner of the Bella Luce lighting shop in Watlington High Street for eight years, said most of their business came from passing trade.

She said: "Absolutely without a doubt 90% of our customers come because of our windows."

But Judy Roberts, cabinet member for infrastructure and development strategy, said the council was "fully committed" to the project.

She added: "The Watlington relief road project aims to provide an alternative route and direct access to the B4009 either side of Watlington without the need to travel through the town centre.

"It will connect the western side of Watlington on the B4009, looping northwards and connecting back to the B4009 on the eastern side of the town.

"Its aim is to alleviate congestion, noise and air pollution in the town centre and enable future housing developments, by offering more sustainable modes of transport including cycling and walking."

Debbie Davies, of the Oxfordshire Roads Action Alliance (ORAA), added: "Traffic and pollution are likely to increase overall if the road is built.

"It will also undermine the county council's transport plan to reduce private car journeys and increase public transport.

"The £10m scheme has no bus infrastructure."

Shirburn Parish Council said the traffic and "extensive residential development will cause harm to the conservation village of Shirburn".

A planning decision is expected in May 2024.

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