THE contractor behind a controversial project to link two hospitals with a heating pipeline, has changed its plans after a barrage of complaints from residents but has remained silent over the issue.

Vital Energi has since created two alternatives to the original route for the £14.8m Hospital Energy Project, which will link the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals.

But residents say they believe a less disruptive route should have been created for residents from the outset.

Andrew Dickinson, from Stapleton Road, said: "It seems remarkable, given the size and scale of the project, that the least disruptive route for the pipeline was not identified at the outset.

"The failures of the Trust and their partners to plan and consult before rushing headlong into this unique and surprising venture continue to haunt them.

"It is a shame that, for all the noises that they are belatedly making about engaging with residents, they appear unwilling to cut their losses and to consider other ways to save energy without multiplying the disruption on Headington streets."

The new plans show two proposed routes for consideration, one going up Stapleton Road and onto the Churchill Hospital and the other along Lime Walk.

Initial applications showed the 2.2km pipework going along All Saints Road and onto Stapleton Road, Old Road, London Road and Latimer Road.

Mike Ratcliffe, from Bickerton Road, said he hoped Vital Energi would take the opinion of residents onboard before plans are taken to the East Area Planning Committee in June.

He said: "It's a real annoyance that this is all going to go on even longer than we first thought and it's frustrating that they didn't consider Lime Walk as an option at the beginning of the process.

"But that is all water under the bridge now and I can only hope they properly consult us in the time we have so that we can all have a say between the two different routes."

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUHT) said the new routes had been proposed to take into account residents' concerns about the impact the project could have on traffic.

Mark Neal, head of estates of OUHT said: "We know that the work on laying the Energy Link is going to cause disruption for people along the route - whichever route is chosen - and we are extremely grateful for the support, co-operation and understanding of the greater benefits for patients that we have had from many residents so far.

"Both the Trust and Vital Energi are committed to engaging with the public on the Hospital Energy Project, which solely aims to improve patient environments in a sustainable and financially viable way, and we look forward to our discussions with them."

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