WINCHESTER Conservatives are campaigning to block the controversial closure of Andover Road North and say they have overwhelming public support.
The main road is due to be closed to through traffic when the adjacent 2,000-home Kings Barton development reaches 650 homes, due in 2025.
The Tories have conducted a survey and say the 91 per cent of residents oppose the closure with traffic diverted through the new estate along Winchester Avenue.
READ MORE HERE: Changes to Andover Road closure plans at Kings Barton
Worthys campaigner Signe Biddle said: "We call on Cala Homes and Winchester City Council to review the original planning permission and work with the county council to come up with an option to suit the majority of residents".
During November and December 2021 Winchester Conservative councillors and campaigners, led by Ms Biddle, distributed the survey across the north-west of the city.
More than 750 responses were received with most coming from Harestock, Weeke and Kings Barton.
Some 78 per cent of respondents support retaining both Andover Road North and Winchester Avenue open.
Nine per cent support the closure of Andover Road North based mainly along the road itself, say the Conservatives.
SEE ALSO: Future of Andover Road closure in doubt
The 91 per cent were from a wide range of areas across north Winchester and cited issues including: safety for pedestrians and children in Kings Barton, poor traffic flow, pollution, unsuitability of roads, serious concerns about rat-runs and rerouted traffic, consequences of A34 overspill, and efficient access into Winchester from northern areas.
The closure was part of the planning permission given by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government in 2012 with the support of the Conservative-controlled county council.
Recently the city council revealed that a partial retention of Andover Road was being considered to allows buses from the proposed new park and ride car parks that are earmarked for the area, with Sir John Moore Barracks a possible location once the military vacates the base.
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