A RESIDENTS’ group opposed to a 12,000 home development has criticised Swindon Council’s new transport blueprint.

The East Swindon Communities’ Group (ESCG) claimed the council’s £370m transport strategy will not be able to cope with the huge growth projected for the town over the next 20 years.

The group is particularly concerned the strategy will not provide the infrastructure required for the Eastern Development Area (EDA) – a plan to build 12,000 homes, schools and community facilities on land east of the A419.

ESCG spokesman Gary Sumner said: “We reject this strategy because it fails to offer practical solutions to the dire traffic and transport problems that will ensue from the planned development of 12,000 houses in East Swindon. As far as I know the council doesn’t have the guaranteed funding to back up this strategy. I understand there are concerns among councillors about the funding situation. “If they are genuinely uncertain then they should take another look at it.”

Mr Sumner called on councillors to return to the drawing board following the end of a public consultation period on the development on Monday. He added: “The council has to act now or they will be imposing a development on Swindon which is completely unsustainable.”

Some funding for the scheme has already been agreed through Regional Funding Allocations.

The council is hoping to secure the rest of the money from central Government and has called on the town’s two MPs to help lobby for funds. South Marston Parish Council has also objected to the council’s transport strategy in relation to the EDA.

Chairman Colin McEwan raised concerns the cabinet meeting on Wednesday over the fact that no link road between the A419 and A420 is included in the plan.

Coun Peter Greenhalgh, lead member for sustainability, transport and strategic planning, replied: “The transport strategy is not based around detailed modelling for the EDA.

“This work is still ongoing and depends on such variables as land use mix and location, densities, type and phasing of development.

“Detailed modelling of strategic development areas will follow within the wider context of the transport strategy as these variables become more certain.

“Accordingly, the transport strategy does not prejudice consideration of a road link between the A420 and A419 as part of the EDA.”

l Swindon residents have until 4.30pm on Monday to make their concerns known about the EDA.

Any comments should be made in writing and sent to Forward Planning Group, Freepost SCE5251, Swindon Borough Council, Premier House, Station Road, Swindon, SN1 1TZ, or emailed to forwardplanning@swindon.gov.uk An online response form can be found at the council website, www.swindon.gov.uk