AN EVESHAM councillor hopes the long-awaited traffic study will show extending the A46 will be the ‘most constructive’ way of solving the town’s congestion issues.
Coun Mark Goodge said the radical idea would see the bypass stretching around the southwest of the town extended from the Cheltenham Road roundabout to Pershore Road in Hampton.
It’s believed that would then help ease the pressure on Cheltenham Road and the Abbey Bridge junction which is already operating at over capacity.
Speaking to the Observer, Coun Goodge said the results of the traffic survey, promised by Worcestershire County Council, could highlight the need for the work to be carried out.
And he added the £500,000 earmarked by Wychavon District Council for Evesham transport improvements could be used for the bypass extension.
“It’s one of the aspirations of the Town Plan,” Coun Goodge said.
“The Town Council hasn’t done any work directly on it, but we’re hopeful that the traffic survey promised by Worcestershire County Council will highlight that as a way forward.
“Wychavon District Council has earmarked money for transport improvements in Evesham, but we’d need to wait for the results of the traffic survey before we can judge whether this would be a suitable use of that.
“I think that extending the by-pass would be one of the most constructive ways to address Evesham’s traffic problems.
“It would take a lot of traffic off Cheltenham Road, as well as the Abbey Bridge junction which is already operating above capacity.
“With the prospect of more housing on Cheltenham Road and Abbey Road, reducing pressure on the Abbey Bridge junction has got to be one of the key priorities of any traffic improvement scheme.”
