Countryside group to fight £12m Oxon Link Road

The branch claims that original plans to reduce noise and pollution by sinking the road into a cutting have been abandoned "for reasons of cost".

If given the green light, the road would connect the Churncote roundabout on the A5 to the Holyhead Road at Oxon.

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 the local branch of the CPRE has added its name to the list of objectors.

The objection begins by stating that the branch has "long-standing" objections to the concept of the North West Relief Road, of which the Oxon Link Road will be the first phase.

It says that the only undeveloped section of town is the area in the north west.

"The proposed North West Relief Road would drive straight through this relatively undeveloped area," it said.

"Once the road is completed, or even before completion, residential, commercial, and industrial development alongside the road would bring noise and pollution and rapidly destroy the character of the area.

"This is a unique area within the town, if the North West Relief Road is approved and financed residents of Shrewsbury will be deprived, once and for all, of this beautiful and quiet countryside, which is also a flood protection area for Shrewsbury."

In regards to the proposed Oxon Link Road, the CPRE said much of the area has a "quiet rural character", and if it was to go ahead, quality of life in the area "will be degraded" for those who live in the area.

The objection adds: "We believe that the existing caravan park will be degraded by noise and pollution, this will result in lower occupation levels thus robbing the town of its benefits as a tourist attraction, those staying there will not have simple and safe access to the park and ride terminus or the several retail facilities on the Welshpool Road."

The CPRE says that residents living in Calcott Lane and Shepherds Lane will have their lives "disrupted", and local rights of way for pedestrians, cyclists and horses will be "rendered unusable or unsafe".

It added: "Moreover it is our understanding that as the project has progressed many of the original measures to reduce noise and disruption by sinking the new road into a cutting have been abandoned for reasons of cost."

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.