Shrewsbury MP calls Commons summit over Oxon Link Road concerns
Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski plans to chair an urgent meeting between the Highways Agency, Severn Trent and other interested parties to thrash out concerns over the proposed Oxon Link Road.
Plans were submitted to Shropshire Council this month for the construction of the £12 million road, which would be a two-lane carriageway that would connect the Churncote roundabout on the A5 to the Holyhead Road at Oxon.
Last week Severn Trent claimed that thousands of people could be left without water in the town if the supply is interrupted.
Severn Trent Water's hydrogeologist Antonio Gennarini said: "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."
The road would be built between two of Severn Trent's major groundwater abstractions and is anticipated to be complete by 2021 if it gains planning approval.
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Now Daniel Kawczynski is arranging a meeting, to be held at the House of Commons early next month, between Severn Trent, the Highways Agency and other parties to ensure the project is not stalled.
He is keen to hear Severn Trent's basis for their claims and will listen to the opinions of all concerned.
Mr Kawczynski said: "The Oxon Link Road is the precursor to the North West Relief Road and, as we are very close to securing funding for that, I do not want anything to delay or hamper the construction of the new road.
"I want to hear whatever concerns they have got. We will do whatever we can to resolve this situation. This is a most important scheme.
"Severn Trent has made a very emotive and evocative statement. I want to hold them to account on it and want to hear why and how they feel they can make such a statement.
"We need to decide how we can continue with the project without endangering any water sources.
"This scheme has been on the table for a very long time.
"They have to work with Highways Agency and Shropshire Council to ensure that it will go ahead. If they have a genuine concern they need to justify it. We need to give them assurances in the scheme.
"This will be a round table discussion. I will chair it and the meeting will be minuted. This is such an important issue and we will not be leaving anything to chance."
More than 250 people and bodies, including Bicton Parish Council, have now objected to the scheme.
Concerns include a lack of information provided, noise and light pollution, and the impact on local businesses.
