THERE is some controversy about the new planned route for repatriations of UK soldiers through Brize Norton.

Residents in the Oxfordshire village have raised concerns about speed humps and narrow streets along the proposed repatriation route after Oxfordshire County Council released the plans last Monday after testing it.

The ceremonies are to switch to RAF Brize Norton when RAF Lyneham ceases to be an air force base in September.

Nearby Wootton Bassett has entered the national spotlight for its dignified marking of the repatriations through the High Street and even won Royal ascent last month.

The new plans would see the cortege travel through Brize Norton village, which has narrow lanes and speed humps along Station Road.

But one Brize Norton resident said: “What a stupid idea.

“This route will go right through the centre of Brize Norton village where the roads are so narrow at one point that if cars park one side of the road it is impossible for two cars to pass one another.”

But Keith Glazier, chairman of Brize Norton Parish Council, said the county council had tested the route by driving a hearse through the village.

He said this, and temporary police road blocks, meant there was no need to worry.

The county council, along with Thames Valley Police, was tasked with finding a route for the corteges to exit the base and travel to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

The county council has proposed building an area in Norton Way for people to pay their respects to the cortege.

An alternative route, exiting the base north of Brize Norton, has also been suggested in case the main route cannot be used.