A CAMPAIGN to stop the closure of a major Winchester road gathered momentum last week despite backlash from a rival group of residents.
More than 120 people rallied in Andover Road urging transport chiefs to keep it open when a new route is built through the Barton Farm development.
Signatories to a 350-strong petition, including local taxi firm Wessex Cars, fear closure will clog up main routes into the city and send A-road traffic through Littleton and Harestock.
But a handful of dissenting residents attended the demonstration to warn keeping the road open would do the same to Weeke, supporting what would be a stretch of car-free cycle path.
Barton Farm developer Cala Homes already has consent to pedestrianise a stretch of the busy commuter route, diverting thousands of cars a day through the 2,000-home new estate.
Paul Twelftree, the prospective Tory councillor who launched the campaign with Cllr James Byrnes, said he was “absolutely stunned” by the strength of feeling and called on Cala to reopen discussion.
“They need to engage with us and talk to us,” he said. “The weight of public opinion that I’ve had has been overwhelmingly against the closed road. Showing that they are prepared to listen can only benefit them.
“We’ll become a rat run. Traffic will flow like water through Littleton and Harestock – it’s going to be horrendous.”
Paul Twelftree
Hampshire County Council can still decide against a stopping-up order on Andover Road. But Rob Westwood, Cala’s project director for Barton Farm, has said there are other ways to close it and implement their planning application.
Meanwhile, Lib Dem councillors have hit back at the Conservative-led campaign.
Cllr Anne Weir said: “We challenge the Andover Road campaigners on their vision for transportation and mobility in Winchester. How do they propose we get more people out of their cars, create space for a good bus service to develop in their place and encourage more of us to walk and cycle?
“Whatever route the Andover Road takes in the coming 10 years there will be an increase in traffic with a serious impact on neighbouring communities unless we plan carefully and deliver a better vision.”
Cllr Anne Weir (second left) with residents backing the Andover Road closure
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