HEADINGTON residents have warned of “traffic chaos” after plans were approved to install a 2.2km pipeline through the heart of the town.

Controversial plans for an energy link connecting the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals were given the go ahead at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

Oxford City Council voted by an overwhelming majority to give contractor Vital Energi the go ahead for the 18-month long scheme which will see roads dug for 17 weeks with hundreds of homes blocked for up to three weeks.

Speaking at the meeting and objecting to the plans, Headington city councillor Roz Smith said: "This project is going to have a significant impact on some busy highways right through the centre of Headington.

"It's going to be quite disruptive for local residents.”

Speaking for the plans, a Vital Energi spokesperson told the council the pipeline would save the health service around £460,000 each year and cut down on 11,000 tonnes of C02.

Project manager Paul Gredley said: “If we don’t do the pipeline there will be a reduction of approximately £2.5m over the 25-year life of the project and a significant reduction in C02 savings.

“The route has been discussed for a very long time. The final route has been informed by public consultation.”

Residents have since expressed their fears ahead of the roadworks.

Lime Walk resident and administrator Joanne Tournquist, aged 54, said: “We are really worried about that because we have limited parking here as it is.

“It already gets very congested at the intersection by the [Oxford Chinese Christian Church]. I don’t know where we are going to park.

“I am not happy, it’s a real inconvenience. I know they have to do it but I am not looking forward to it.”

Matthew Cooper, aged 31, of Lime Walk agreed: “It’s going to be chaos.

“I am worried about getting a car parking space, there’s hardly any spaces here anyway.”

Retired resident of nearby Stapleton Road Andrew Connell said: “I think it’s a waste of money. They didn’t need pipes or a new boiler for Churchill Hospital.

“By the time they have shared steam from the John Radcliffe Hospital to the Churchill it’s going to be cold.

“The fact that they are going to go through Lime Walk instead of here means this road will be used as a through road bringing extra traffic.”

20-year-old Beth Horn of Latimer Road said: “It will be a bit of an inconvenience just getting the car out.”

Not all residents were against the plan, however.

County Council employee and mother-of-two Sue Halliwell, aged 37, called the plan “brilliant”.

The Latimer Road resident said: “It’s a really good idea and I fully support anything that can make the two hospitals work more efficiently.

“I know it’s going to be a bit of disruption but in the long term I think it’s the right thing to do.”

Fellow Latimer Road resident and engineer Andy Larder, aged 43, said: “If it saves the hospital a bit of money and energy then it’s worth it.”