A motion at Warwick District Council received a unanimous call for a re-evaluation of the need for the proposed strategic link road between A46 and Westwood Heath Road.

A public consultation has already been held by Warwickshire County Council for the road which could cut across green belt between Kenilworth and the University of Warwick.

The motion was led by the Green group at WDC's full council meeting last week.

Cllr James Kennedy (Grn, Kenilworth Park Hill) in proposing the motion said: "much has changed since this road was conceived: climate emergencies at national and local level, new policies to support active travel, new technologies including the proposed Very Light Rail system being developed locally and changing travel patterns following the Covid pandemic.

"All these point to the need to re-evaluate the requirement for this expensive and redundant road scheme."

The motion, seconded by Cllr Jonathan Nicholls (Lab, Leamington Clarendon), urged the county council and Coventry City Council to re-think the need for the road.

The road, costing at least £60m, could cut across greenbelt land from the A46, go between HS2 and the University of Warwick, through the Diamond Wood planted to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee before joining Westwood Heath Road.

Originally conceived to serve the new King's Hill housing development, planning permission granted for King's Hill stated that the road is not required.

Plans for the new mainline railway station for the university and the development of the Very Light Rail system for Coventry by WMG, are expected to reduce the need for commuting by car.

Meanwhile Department of Transport policy is to 'encourage and empower' local authorities to develop active travel – cycling and walking.

Leader of Kenilworth Town Council, and WDC Councillor John Dearing, (Grn, Kenilworth Park Hill) said: "I'm very aware of residents' feelings about the narrow strip of land that separates Kenilworth and Coventry.

"Indeed, the town council has already unanimously approved the submission of a detailed and negative response to the consultation.

"A similarly negative response has also been submitted by Burton Green Parish Council and the University of Warwick's student union recently voted to oppose the plan.

"This is not just about losing green fields. Within this strip, residents were looking forward to seeing a new woodland grow with its amenity value and, increasingly important, its ability to capture of carbon dioxide.

"HS2 has already destroyed part of the Jubilee Wood that was planted by the university to celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.

"There's a good chance that the new road would end up destroying the rest."

The motion, which received unanimous approval, will see WDC call for a re-evaluation of the project.

WCC will be asked to reconsider traffic flow forecasts, the possibility of a county-wide cycle network, the feasibility of fast tracking the development of the university's railway station, and the integration of the South Warwickshire Local Plan with the university's masterplan.

Cllr Alix Dearing (Grn, Kenilworth Park Hill) said: " for WCC to spend £60m on a relief road, when it's been proven time and time again that more roads just encourage more traffic, is hardly fit for the future.

"All those active travel developments which are the future – (railway halt, VLR light railway, proper district/regional wide planning for cycle links), seem to be a poor afterthought. They should come first".

She supported the motion, but added "I do have concerns about the timescale – and would want to see serious consideration should be given to the process. I don't want to see a road built to kick a can down."

The full discussion of the motion can be seen embedded at the top of this page.