Cogges Link Road debate heats up

12:40pm Tuesday 7th October 2008

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THE debate over whether the Cogges Link Road will solve some of Witney's traffic problems heats up as Oxfordshire County Council this week stages a public exhibition on the scheme.

Last week, a group of landowners and developers who are against the £15m road announced they too are to mount their own public exhibition at the same time.

Members of the public can pop into the council's displays at the Marlborough Hotel, in Market Square, and then take a short stroll over to the Corn Exchange to look at plans for the rival Shores Green option.

James Mawle, of the Mawle Trustees and member of the East Witney Land Consortium, told the Witney Gazette: "We decided the public needed to have a proper balance. We've booked the Corn Exchange, so people can come and have a look at what we are offering. It makes sense to have the same on the same days and times, so that's what we are doing."

The Shores Green option is cheaper than the Cogges Link Road, and involves converting the eastern junction on the A40 Witney bypass into a four-way one, rather than the present two.

It has been fronted by the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which is not taking part in the Corn Exchange exhibition, because it wants to remain independent from the interests of landowners and developers.

Both exhibitions will now be showing on Thursday, between 1pm and 8pm, Friday, between 10am and 6pm, and Saturday, between 10am and 1pm.

County Hall had already booked their exhibition many weeks ago, as part of the public consultation on their favoured link road scheme. The road would connect Witan Way at the Sainsbury's roundabout, with Oxford Hill and Jubilee Way, cutting across the River Windrush.

The council decides on the planning application early next year.

County councillor Ian Hudspeth, cabinet member for transport, said: "The exhibition provides local residents and businesses the chance to see details of the scheme themselves.

"I hope as many people as possible will take advantage."