More than 250 object to Oxon Link Road plan

Bicton Parish Council and the Shropshire councillor for Tern have also voiced their concerns about the proposed road, which would connect the Churncote roundabout on the A5 to the Holyhead Road at Oxon.

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.

Now Bicton Parish Council has objected to the plan on Shropshire Council's website.

The objection says: "When this road was first proposed it was going to be a high quality construction with a high regard for the countryside, the environment and the local residents; this is no longer so.

"The pedestrian crossings have been reduced from footbridge and traffic lights to quite unsafe, uncontrolled crossings.

"The road was to be sunken to deaden the noise and to reduce visual impact; it is no longer sunken.

"The proposed bunding and screening is inadequate sound and visual protection.

"Making Churncote roundabout five leg is a mistake. It is generally accepted that five leg roundabouts are unsafe.

"The Shepherd's Lane footpath diversion makes the journey double the length that it is now. This will discourage pedestrians and increase car use.

"The proposed caravan site access will make it difficult for vehicles to enter and leave the site. Pedestrians from the caravan site will have difficulty walking to the shops and to the buses. This will inevitably cause more car use.

"The reduction in width of the existing Welshpool road to less than the average width of two modern cars, will cause danger to cyclists and pedestrians."

Councillor Lezley Picton has also objected to the plan with "serious concerns".

She said she has "broadly supported" the North West Relief Road, which would be linked to the Oxon Link Road, due to the "misery" suffered by residents of Fitz and Leighton.

She said: "In this masterplan - showed widely to residents in various consultation sessions - which forms part of the application, there are five proposed options for pedestrian crossings /bridges. However, within the text of the planning statement it states that there will be only two 'uncontrolled, at grade, pedestrian crossings' at Calcott Lane and Clayton Way, which are at the furthest ends of the scheme.

"To summarise, despite this scheme having been consulted upon a number of times, the concerns and comments from residents and elected members have been completely ignored. Without the installation of safe crossing and proper bunding I fear this scheme will at best not achieve its goals and at worst become a major safety concern. I urge you to take these comments on board and make the required changes."

Shrewsbury Town Council remains neutral to the plan for the Oxon Link Road.