South-Western Relief Road

The bid to part-fund the South Western Relief Road (SWRR) around Stratford-upon-Avon has not been announced in the current round of Government funding

Cllr Jeff Clarke, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning at Warwickshire County Council says: "It is disappointing that our bid has not been successful at this time, Warwickshire County Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council and CALA Homes have put a lot of effort into this bid which would have helped deliver valuable infrastructure and would have brought significant benefits to the residents of the Stratford District as well as supporting the development of the Long Marston Garden Village. We will continue to work with the District Council to deliver the highway infrastructure needed within Stratford District."

Cllr Daren Pemberton, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Place says: "I echo Warwickshire County Council's disappointment at the news; I confirm that the District Council remains committed to improving congestion in and around Stratford-upon-Avon and to delivering the Long Marston Garden Village.

"Following this announcement, we will review how these objectives can best be achieved. The District Council has a robust 5-year housing land supply in place and the loss of this funding will not have a significant bearing on this supply in the short or medium term.

"As we have previously announced, this summer the District Council will be bringing forward a review of the Core Strategy and this will provide further opportunities to address both these and the wider long term issues affecting the District."

Homes England has confirmed that the SWRR will still be eligible for future funding through the Housing Infrastructure Fund announced by Central Government and Homes England.

Notes to editors   

• Stratford District Council has previously received £13.4m from the Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund - Marginal Viability Fund for the Long Marston Airfield Garden Village.
• At the time of the announcement at the beginning of 2018 it was the fourth largest grant awarded in the country.
• The funding was for the contamination and infrastructure costs associated with the development of the first 400 homes on site.