RESIDENTS in Wolvercote have called on Oxfordshire County Council to explain its plan to tackle extra traffic they fear from a major development.

Plans for the Northern Gateway business park, put forward by Oxford City Council, are currently under public consultation.

But residents are concerned the county council’s proposed overhauls of Wolvercote and Cutteslowe roundabouts will not be enough to reduce congestion.

Wolvercote county councillor Jean Fooks said: “We have asked for a presentation on how they they think they are going to handle the extra traffic.”

Mrs Fooks, below, and the Wolvercote Neighbourhood Forum have also called for plans for a link road between the A40 and A44 to be brought forward.

She added: “The link road really is essential and needs to be done as soon as possible.

“We have got to start moving traffic out of North Oxford and that road would reduce congestion significantly.

Oxford Mail:

“The forum and I are also calling on the city council to extend its consultation on the Northern Gateway because the September 15 deadline does not leave enough time for people who have been away to consider the plans.

“I think the county council should give this presentation. It needs to show people here it is listening to their concerns.”

Oxfordshire County Council is currently reviewing and updating its Oxford Area Transport Strategy, following estimates that traffic volumes could grow by 35 per cent by 2025. In July the authority announced it would add traffic light controls to Wolvercote roundabout and widen its approaches from the A40 and A44.

It also proposed that Cutteslowe roundabout become a ‘hamburger’-style junction, with the main road cutting through a central island. Pedestrian and cyclist crossings are to be added to both junctions.

That scheme was first announced in February and will be funded by the £108.6m Government-funded Growth Deal, confirmed in July.

But the county council has so far not confirmed any further details of a proposed link road or how it will be funded.

Council spokesman Dominic Llewellyn-Jones said there were no plans to hold a public meeting with residents.

He said: “Residents who have concerns can raise them through the Northern Gateway AAP consultation process. The county council is working up a design for a new link road to the west of the A34, between the A40 and A44, but it is not required to support a development at Northern Gateway.”

 

 

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