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oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
Horton hospital downgrade to be referred
Great Wall trek to raise funds for children
Page 6
Ricky Gervais’s cat gives appeal a helping paw
Pages 12&13
Page 18
Business and traffic concern over J11 service station plan By Samantha McGregor PLANS for a new service station on the edge of Banbury have come in for intense criticism. Monte Blackburn, known as Euro Garages, want to build industrial units, offices, an 80-bed hotel, petrol station, shops and food outlets as well as HGV parking on land between Daventry Road and M40, off junction 11 at Banbury, which will create many jobs. Major concerns have been raised about the increase and impact traffic will have at the junction, that another service station is not needed on the M40 as there are already two nearby, and land is designated for business units and offices. Both north Oxfordshire MP Victoria Prentis and South Northamptonshire MP Andrea Leadsom said they had received dozens of letters from residents who are against the proposal. Among the objectors are the town council, Cherwell North District CPRE and South Northamptonshire District Council which said it was contrary to the local development plan, that the gap between Banbury and nearby villages would be eroded and it would have a negative visual impact. Businesswoman Rosy Burke said the development was a “threat to
Banbury’s prosperity”. She said: “If planning permission is given for this, traffic coming off the M40 (10,000 extra traffic movements daily) will seize up our precious junction and all the surrounding roads, backing up all over the town. “This will mean our successful companies will not be able to efficiently receive and deliver their goods and may leave and new companies not come here.” Nigel Bankes, chairman of Wardington Parish Council, said: “The result of a motorway services at Junction 11 would have catastrophic implications to traffic congestion at the Junction 11 roundabout. “It barely copes at peak times now and totally fails to cope when unplanned events occur e.g. motorway accidents when diverted traffic can bring Banbury to a complete standstill.” He said the development would also “add significantly to the light pollution” in the area. Banbury Chamber of Commerce chairman Nick Poole said: “We urge the council not to grant planning permission in this case, without fi rst making provision for the long-term traffic and commercial needs of the town.” The application has yet to be decided.
Pupil has designs on keeping children safe YSABELLE Mistula’s design will front up a new initiative to better protect young people after it was chosen as the logo
for the Safeguarding Children in Banbury group. The Blessed George Napier Catholic School pupil
was presented with an area commander’s commendation by Superintendent Mark Johns. See page 5 for full story.
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