U-turn leads to wariness (From Gazette Series)

U-turn leads to wariness

AN APPARENT U-turn on the completion of the Berkeley by-pass by Gloucestershire County Council has made Berkeley Town Council suspicious of the future development of Sharpness.

As recently as September the county council had given the town council a choice of upgrading either the B4066 through Berkeley Heath or Alkington Lane to complete the link from Sharpness to the A38.

They did not offer the option of a completely new road.

However, this month the county council has written to explain that the option of the new road is now being considered.

When the town council voted on the issue two months ago they stated their preference for a new road, with chairman Cllr Ralph Pinnell insisting that this had been the original plan when the existing section of the by-pass was built. Now though, the town council suspect that road safety is not at the forefront of the county council's mind.

Cllr Pinnell told Monday's meeting: "There seems to be an ulterior motive at the moment. It appears that all roads lead to Sharpness."

With a study into the possibility of developing the level of shipping at Sharpness being announced last week, Cllr Pinnell suggested that the port was being readied for a large development.

Although they were only speculating, councillors thought that the improved infrastructure would allow an incinerator, last mooted around a year ago, to be built at the site.

However, any cast iron decisions about either a new road or the future of industry at Sharpness are a long way off.