Oxon Link Road ‘would put Shrewsbury's water supply at risk’
The proposed £12 million Oxon Link Road could pose a "significant risk" to Shrewsbury's water supply, according to Severn Trent.
The company raised concerns over the planned road, which would connect the Churncote roundabout on the A5 to the Holyhead Road at Oxon,
It comes as more than 150 people have objected to the recently-submitted plan, and Highways England recommended any decision is delayed by three months.
The Oxon Link Road, which would be a two-lane carriageway about one mile in length, is anticipated to be complete by 2021 if it gains planning approval.
Businesses and residents have raised a number of concerns over the road including a lack of information provided, noise and light pollution, and the impact on local businesses.
Severn Trent Water's hydrogeologist Antonio Gennarini said in a statement submitted last year to Shropshire Council that thousands of people could be left without water in the town if the supply is interrupted.
The road would be built between two of Severn Trent's major groundwater abstractions.
Mr Gennarini's report says: "We have highlighted our concerns in relation to the proposed development as we believe that this may pose a significant risk to the security of our water supply to the Shrewsbury area.
"This is due to the immediate proximity of the proposed route of the Oxon Link Road to our groundwater abstraction boreholes and surface water intakes."
Severn Trent spokesman Peter Edney today said: "We’re currently reviewing the environmental impact assessment to understand if we still have concerns around the proposals. We’re continuing to work closely with the local authority to provide our expert advice regarding this proposed development.
“Severn Trent is not a statutory planning consultee for this development. However, we will continue to assess the risk of any proposals that could have an impact on our network or assets.”
Forming part of the Shrewsbury West Sustainable Urban Extension, it is intended that the Oxon Link Road will link to the proposed North West Relief Road and would be 'future fit' for relief road status.
Highways England's divisional director Catherine Brookes has recommended that a decision is delayed for three months until information is submitted addressing points raised previously over the model by the authority.
Highways England also requests a model which would demonstrate that Churncote Roundabout will continue to operate safely and efficiently when the Oxon Link Road and North West Relief Road are in place.
A road safety audit and a walking, cycling and horse riding assessment are also needed by Highways England and are not included in the application which was submitted at the end of last month.
