Traffic busting road bid unveiled

The link road is planned to tackle traffic bottlenecks

Long-held plans to create a link road aimed at easing traffic congestion in Oxfordshire have finally been drawn up.

Residents are being given the chance to have their say on the Cogges Link, planned to cut hold-ups in Witney.

The road to link Witan Way to the B4022 first won planning permission in 1997 but funding problems meant it could not be created before the approval lapsed.

Despite objections from some locals, highways bosses say it is the best way to tackle the town's traffic jams.

Impact 'minimised'

David Robertson, the county council's transport and highways chief, said: "As part of the planning application for Cogges Link we were required to look in detail at the scheme and its possible alternatives.

"The assessment showed Cogges Link is still the best way to reduce the congestion on Bridge Street, but, as with any road scheme, as well as benefits there will also be negative impacts.

"We have sought to minimise these impacts on the environment and local residents through various measures in the design."

Many residents had been concerned that the road would encourage "rat-running" through Cogges estate.

But the council says it has redesigned the scheme to prevent that from happening.

The public's views on the scheme will be reported to the planning committee due to consider the plans in February.