STUDLEY has offered to join with other local parishes in a drive to lessen the impact of traffic from the Redditch Eastern Gateway using the A435 south.
The move follows a letter from neighbouring Coughton Parish Council raising concerns about the number of juggernauts and other vehicles using the site and the effect this is likely to have on their village.
Months after outline planning permission for the Eastern Gateway was approved, Studley Parish Council has received a letter from Councillor John Gittins of Coughton Parish Council and Adam Walsh, executive head of Coughton CE Primary School.
The letter expressed alarm at the likely increase in traffic through their village from the Gateway and the lack on consultation on its impact.
It detailed the ‘torturous’ route HGVs would take through Redditch to Crabbs Cross island then down the A448 Slough to Spernall Ash before rejoining the A435 through their village.
“This is definitely a case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted – we wrote to Coughton Parish Council some time ago and got no reply,” said Councillor Paul Beaman
“However I absolutely agree with their objections but the time to object was 18 months ago.”
He added that there was major roads funding available and it would strengthen their case if all the local parish councils in Mappleborough Green, Kings Coughton, Coughton, Studley and Sambourne presented a united front.
Parish chair Coun Sue Redman said: “Just because Coughton are late does not mean that we cannot support them and as you say this is also an opportunity to put a group together to approach Warwickshire County Council for funding.”
Members agreed to support the views of Coughton PC and also the chance to join a group of local councils to further discuss options to ease the impact of the development.
