THE re-routing of a major Winchester road has been pushed into the spotlight once again after an election leaflet argued there is still time to reverse the controversial decision.

Some residents in the district have been sent leaflets from the Wonston and Micheldever Conservatives saying they are backing a ‘call for common sense’ to ‘keep Andover Road open’.

The issue of re-routing the road, which will form part of the Kings Barton/Barton Farm estate currently being built, has been raised numerous times, including by Hampshire’s transport chief Cllr Rob Humby.

In November, Cllr Humby told the Chronicle the county council would be prepared to review the future of the road following the consultation over the Winchester Movement Strategy.

However, Winchester City Council corporate director Steve Tilbury dashed hopes, saying that although the route can be amended by the proper authorities the current location was enshrined in the planning decision for the estate and there are no discussion going on about any change.

A change would require Kings Barton’s developers CALA to submit a revised planning application, something they have no intention of doing.

Now, former Labour city councillor Patrick Davies has accused council leader Caroline Horrill and Cllr Stephen Godfrey, both ward councillors in Wonston and Micheldever, of misleading voters by insinuating in election material that the decision could be changed.

Mr Davies, who opposed the re-routing of the road when it was proposed in 2012, said at a meeting of the Barton Farm Forum: “They are giving the impression it can be readdressed and it’s simply untrue.”

The issue was pushed further by Lib Dem councillor Martin Tod who asked when Andover Road was expected to be completed.

A CALA representative said that the diversion needed to be in place prior to the 650th occupancy. He added: “We currently have about 100 and at the current rate, let’s say its around another five years until that stage is hit.”

Defending the campaign material, Cllr Godfrey said the council opposed the rerouteing of Andover Road and that he would continue to do so.

This is despite other members of his own party being in favour of the diversion, including Cllr Ian Tait who said that the council was not looking to revisit the scheme any time soon, and was unsure what it would add.

Cllr Tait said: “We looked at road issue and there is a very strong urban design rational behind the design of the suburb to make it successful.

“There has been a fear in the public that it’s a mad cap, lazy planners’ decision, but it was carefully considered for the benefit for the suburb and its integration into Winchester.”

Cllr Horrill was approached for comment but had not responded at time of going press.