Alongside local councillors, Witney and West Oxfordshire MP, Robert Courts has spoken on the recently released Witney North Masterplan.
A proposal for a major housing development has now been published online by the North Witney Consortium to build 1,250 homes.
Robert was recently pleased to attend the public consultation meeting on the Witney North masterplan.
Following this, both Robert and local Conservative councillors have now raised their considerable concerns that the proposals do not include the necessary infrastructure to go with it, specifically the West End Link Road and to address the severe flood risk of the area.
In order for Robert and local Councillors to accurately reflect residents' views to the consortium and the District Council, theyhave asked if local residents would please fill in their survey on the proposals and encourage others to do so as well: https://www.robertcourts.co.uk/Witneynorthmasterplan
Commenting on the proposals, Robert said: “Witney is a town that has very much taken its fair share of new homes over the years. In the case here I am concerned that the infrastructure has not been given proper thought. I am most concerned about the proposals not including any plans for a West End Link Road, a second river crossing, to alleviate congestion, which has been promised for years as part of this possible development.”
Cllr Dean Temple, who represents the Witney North ward at the Town Council, said “This appears to be yet another clear demonstration of the anti-motorist approach adopted by our local council, which has led to the unpopular closure of Witney High Street, LTNS in Oxford and crude, ineffective blanket 20mph changes. All of this, in order for the council to meet its massive reduction in car journeys of a quarter by 2030, with no sensible plan to achieve it.
Cllr Temple added, “To hope that all of these people will cycle or walk everywhere in our rural area, or that Witney’s existing congestion can remain unaddressed, is simply pushing ideology over reality.
Crawley Parish Council also recently raised their concerns about the road scheme not being included and have said that “As a result of the problem on Bridge Street many drivers are choosing to avoid Witney town centre and are seeking alternative routes. The nearest bridge over the Windrush is in Crawley where residents are suffering from a substantial increase in the volume of traffic.”
Picture from left to right: County Cllr Liam Walker, Town Councillor Dean Temple, Robert Courts MP, and Conservative District Group Leader Cllr Michele Mead.