Oxfordshire MP says Watlington relief road has been “a long time coming”
The county council promises more than £11m towards the completion of the bypass
An Oxfordshire MP says the Watlington relief road has been “a long time coming” after the county council has set out £11.1m of funding to the completion of the project.
It follows from Oxfordshire County Council's Budget meeting, where they have decided to raise council tax by 4.99% - the most that they can increase it by, without a referendum.
‘We can get this much needed infrastructure completed’
Plans for the bypass were first proposed more than 50 years ago in the 70’s and now has a “final hurdle” to overcome.
Freddie van Mierlo, Liberal Democrat MP for Henley and Thame said: “This is a piece of infrastructure that will support housing growth in the area and deliver on a promise that was made to the community a very long time ago.
“It will reduce congestion in the historic town centre and also deliver on active travel infrastructure through the town, so I'm really pleased for the community.”
The project will go through planning approval in March, Mr van Mierlo says, “after that we can put spades in the ground and get this much needed infrastructure completed”.
He added: “Residents on the doorstep are really clear that they want it delivered. It's been a long time coming and I'm really pleased that we have approved the budget. The next step of the planning application is the final hurdle we need to get over, so that we can get spades in the ground.”
The Liberal Democrat also represents Chalgrove and Watlington on the county council, he said: “We've seen traffic backing up in Watlington and HGV’s trying to navigate the very narrow streets and then Watlington relief road will provide an alternative route through the town that is more suited for this traffic.
“It will also reduce air pollution through the historic centre, which is subject to AQMA’s (Air Quality Management Areas).”