FURTHER objections have been raised against a huge new service station planned for off the M40 in Oxfordshire and the county council has reiterated its opposition to the scheme.

Oxfordshire County Council first objected to the development, which would see a petrol station, 80 bed hotel, offices and a warehouse built at Junction 11, near Banbury, in July 2017 and has now released further comments.

The council's senior transport planner Craig Rossington wrote that the impact of the development on the junction 11 roundabout would be 'severe' by 2021, particularly including traffic from the high speed two rail link.

He also raised concerns about pedestrians and cyclists being able to access the 'employment hub' on the site and that worries about surface water drainage have still not been fully addressed.

The council's response comes after developer Eurogarages undertook further studies following previous opposition to its plan.

The developers' own transport assessment has found the 'proposed development would not have a detrimental impact on the local highway network.'

But Mr Rossington said the developer should pay towards schemes to improve local roads, including the South East Link road, to deal with the impact the service station may have.

It also wants assurances that no work commences until the footpath under the M40 that would connect the service station with Banbury is improved.

It is still unknown when Cherwell Council will make a decision on the plan.