Rugby Western Relief Road
Plans for the building of Rugby Western Relief Road are moving closer to becoming reality. December 2005 saw the approval of the scheme from the Secretary of State for Transport, to the delight of many people.
The consent however came with a few modifications to the plans and so Warwickshire County Council is now asking residents to consider how the changes will affect them.
One of these changes involves Bilton Lane where it connects to the proposed relief road. At Inquiry the Inspector considered that there was merit in closing Bilton Lane to through vehicular traffic, as there would be safety benefits for those pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians still able to use the lane.
The County Council was asked to consider this proposal and subsequently, Rugby Area Committee decided that a public consultation should be undertaken before the a final decision was reached.
If the closure is implemented, it would only be at the point where Bilton Lane meets the relief road on the north side of the relief road, and the relief road would be accessible to traffic approaching on Bilton Lane from the south.
Furthermore, Bilton Lane would still be accessible off the A428 Lawford Road at The Sheaf and Sickle public house junction for access only. To look at the plan in more detail, see our website (link below).
All comments should be made in writing to Mr Follett, Group Manager, Warwickshire Engineering, Design Services, Warwickshire County Council, PO Box 43, Shire Hall, Warwick, CV34 4SX, by Monday 20 February 2006.
County Councillor Martin Heatley, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “The approval from the Secretary of State was great news for the residents of Rugby, Cawston and Bilton who have been waiting a long time for the relief road to be built.
But we feel that it is important to ask people how they feel about the changes before we go ahead with the scheme.
"If people approve, the new road will encourage the removal of through traffic and help ease the traffic congestion. The road will also facilitate the development of Rugby as set out in the Local Plan for the Town.”