Councillors forced to hold meeting on new M4 junction in car park after record turnout
More than 100 members of the public gathered in the car park for a heated debate on the proposed plans for a new junction near Bristol
Councillors were forced to hold a public meeting on proposed plans for a new M4 junction near Bristol in a car park after hundreds of people attended.
More than 100 people showed up at Pucklechurch Community Centre on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 as the Parish Council planned to discuss plans for a new exit on the M4 between junctions 18 and 19.
The higher-than-expected turnout meant Pucklechurch Parish Council (PPC) chairman Bob Symons had to conduct the meeting while standing on a chair in the outdoor car park.
Raising his voice just to be heard over the whoops and jeers of a crowd watching a local cricket match, Mr Symons faced a range of questions from disgruntled villagers who seemingly object to the plans.
Bob Symons, of Pucklechurch Parish Council, was forced to hold the meeting in a car park due to the higher-than-expected turnout
"For us, tonight's meeting, is about arranging a communication plan to ensure maximum coverage of this village to ensure that we have a strong public presence whenever we put in an objection," he told those in attendance.
"The Parish Council has not yet decided on a position of statement at the moment but I would imagine we are as enraged as all of you."
M4 motorway closes with huge delays after trailer carrying cows overturns
Residents turned out in force to Wednesday's meeting after it emerged South Gloucestershire Council and Highways England, who were granted £500,000 by the Department for Transport to conduct a feasibility study into the new junction, dubbed '18A', were looking at two possible sites.
The first proposal would involve building the junction close to Westerleigh Road and see the link road pass close to the northwestern edge of Pucklechurch village and down to the B4465.
The second potential junction site is roughly half a mile further up the motorway and would connect the M4 with the B4465 through fields near Parkfield Rank.
This was the first time residents had been informed planners were considering building so close to the village.
Weston Hospital 'will have to merge with a hospital in Bristol' to get its 24-hour A&E reinstated
Marilyn Palmer, who is the alderman at South Gloucestershire Council, said in a statement: "My initial reaction on reading the proposal was complete disbelief – the proposed route could not possibly be more disruptive.
"It appears to be an inexplicably long link road to the Ring Road that will have a major impact on Pucklechurch.
More than 100 people attended the meeting, which was more than the booked venue could hold (pictured: the crowd in attendance asking questions in the community centre car park)
"Yet the arguments put forward by Chris Skidmore MP were for a new junction to serve the Science Park.
"Adjacent to the park, the M4 and the Ring Road are practically adjoining. The proposed route makes no sense at all."
Watch shocking footage of moments just before Kyle Clarke's tragic death
This statement, read out on her behalf by Mr Symons, was met with a round of applause by the audience.
The joint study is expected to conclude at some point next year. The South Gloucestershire Council website states a public consolation on the two options will take place between August and September.
Disgruntled residents were only informed of the proposal to build an M4 junction exit near Westerleigh Road this week
Mr Symons confirmed a public meeting was being scheduled at the community centre for September 12, by which time he said the parish council will have "all the facts".
He added: "We have booked the centre for early September for an open meeting where we will have all the facts, and we will also have South Gloucestershire Council officers and the project team in attendance."
Residents at the meeting said they are now considering setting up a formal campaign group to combat the proposals in the run-up to the September consultation.
South Gloucestershire Council
ITVPaddy McGuinness has This Morning viewers in hysterics after coming in 'worse for wear'He was told to go home by Holly Willoughby
South Gloucestershire CouncilCouncil powerless to stop McDonald's and Starbucks opening 24-hour drive-thrus in Bradley StokeA planning inspector overturned South Gloucestershire Council's rejection of the planned stores
MontpelierMontpelier's 'Rainbow Bridge' has been painted grey - what Bristol City Council have saidThe council has painted over the bridge using gun metal grey