TETBURY needs an urgent infrastructure boost to prevent traffic chaos, a councillor has warned.

 

Tetbury town councillor and community stalwart Colin Pearce has warned Tetbury could be become completely gridlocked as new developments start to spring up.

 

The market town is expecting around 750 homes in the coming years and he believes the roads do not have the capacity to support them.

 

Cllr Pearce has been a strong proponent of building a road between the Highfield development in London Road to the Hampton Street development to take the strain off the town centre, particularly the busy Long Street.

 

The ‘reserved matters’ – those relating to its scale, layout and appearance – of the 300-home Highfield development are currently being decided.

 

Building a bypass around Tetbury has been discussed several times but has always been shelved due to costs.

 

“I’m fed up of having houses thrown into Tetbury with no rules and no thought for infrastructure,” Cllr Pearce said. “Tetbury is going to be completely gridlocked.

 

“I look to plan for the future, but what’s happening here is we are putting the cart before the horse – and after they are all built it will be too late to complain.

 

He added: “I’m fine with developments in general, but the infrastructure has to be in place to support it otherwise it just won’t work.

 

“I’m frustrated that the government, Cotswold District Council and Gloucestershire Highways passed these applications without thinking ahead.”

 

Cllr Pearce added it was time for people to “stand up and be counted” if they agreed housing had been thrust onto Tetbury short-sightedly.

 

Scott Tompkins, lead commissioner at Gloucestershire Highway Authority, distanced the county council from the complaints.  

 

“In Tetbury the decision to approve or refuse new residential developments is made by Cotswold District Council. The county council, as the Local Highway Authority, is a consultee and can only make recommendations,” he said.

 

“We look at development proposals to make sure access is safe and suitable, and that walking, cycling and public transport are promoted if needed. We also look at the impact on traffic and transport and whether plans are in place to mange any increase.

 

“The district council must consider our recommendations but they can make a decision which is against our advice. If an application is refused, the developer can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.”

 

Cllr Pearce’s concerns come on the heels of news a new 40-house development could be on its way to Cirencester Road in Tetbury, though a planning application is yet to be submitted.