Stratford Council Eyes New Bypass After Relief Road Fails to Gain Traction

Stratford needs a new bypass, says a council leader. He doesn’t want the old southwest relief road. The council cabinet considered a transport plan. The plan includes a traffic study near Stratford. This study explores routes, assesses demand and costs, and looks at environmental impacts. The goal is a route for public input, then they can seek funding.

George Cowcher faces criticism on the road study. Dave Passingham opposes new roads and questions spending on the study. He cites carbon emissions from construction, arguing that building roads conflicts with climate goals. The council aims to reduce car use and boost walking and cycling.

Cowcher notes pressure for growth in housing. Long Marston and Meon Vale need better roads. Stratford has few Avon bridges. One bridge is old, another was once a railway bridge. Stratford faces significant environmental problems. The new road is crucial for growth, he argues and will help meet government requirements.

Passingham asked for renewed thought. Susan Juned says they only study options now. Past housing lacked enough funding, and infrastructure needs weren’t met then. Cowcher says a bypass helps Stratford and unlocks needed environmental progress. It is not the southwest relief road, as that road plan was not popular.

Sarah Whalley-Hoggins thinks this plan will also fail. She stated the southwest road was good and helped houses get built. It failed due to lack of funding, and she believes this plan also lacks funding. Surveys won’t get government money, she added.

Cowcher believes Stratford opposes the southwest road because it harms the environment. He said it was a developer’s idea, not a studied choice. An old application exists, but likely fails. This new study will gather real data, and it should find a viable option.