THE county council remains a supporter of the controversial diversion of Andover Road through the Kings Barton estate in Winchester, a meeting heard.
The Conservative-controlled authority has backed the idea for more than a decade. It would see the current Andover Road North closed to all through traffic except for cyclists and pedestrians, with through traffic going through the new estate along Winchester Avenue.
The issue has returned to the spotlight with local Conservative campaigners pressing the Lib Dem-controlled city council for the closure to be overturned. A recent survey conducted by the Tories revealed 91 per cent of local people opposing the closure.
The ruling Liberal Democrats on the city council point out that responsibility for roads is a county council matter and city and county councillor Martin Tod raised the issue at the recent meeting of full county council, asking the county to clarify its position.
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Cllr Russell Oppenheimer, executive member for highways operations, confirmed its support for the diversion and said it was listening to all views expressed as part of public consultation into the Winchester Movement Strategy.
Cllr Tod said: "The county council is responsible for the design of local roads and at least we now know where they stand. They backed the realignment of Andover Road in 2011, and even though they have been told local people's views about that decision, the Conservative Executive Member has made it clear that they're still backing it now."
The local county councillor Jackie Porter said: "My fellow Lib Dem colleague, Martin Tod asked a clear question-and we received a clear answer from the Exec Member for Highways. The Conservative-run county council has made it clear that they are looking to keep Andover Road open for buses as well as cycling and walking . There was no mention in the response from Cllr Oppenheimer of this route for private vehicles."
As part of the Winchester Movement Strategy there is an idea to keep Andover Road North open for park & ride buses that will use a proposed car park to the north of the city at a site to be confirmed. Sir John Moore Barracks is one possible location.
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