I AM writing to explain the feelings of the residents of Northway Estate about the Barton West development.

The problem of flooding in Northway has already been discussed in another letter to your column, although, when you read in the North East Area Committee of September 12, 2013, that Grosvenors, the developer’s ultimate answer to the problem, especially on Northway, is to provide properties in new Barton with water butts, is pathetic.

They might as well ask all the new residents to put buckets all round their properties every time it rains.

The proposed new road crossing from the new development into Northway goes across the grass where children play and have their playground. The fencing and the trees on the boundary of Northway Estate were intended to form a barrier to protect Northway residents from the noise and pollution of the bypass.

At the meeting on September 12 at the Town Hall, I asked both the council members and the developers if they would like to live on Northway, where they and their children would be exposed to the danger and pollution caused by cutting a road through that barrier on to our piece of green space.

I did not get an answer – but Grosvenor, the developers, did say that putting up a barrier to the road was not possible.

The consequences of the link will be dire, in that it will expose all of us, especially the children who play nearby, to the lung-damaging pollution and danger of increased traffic on Northway.

We are used to seeing foxes and other wildlife dead on the side of the A40 but are we expected to endure seeing our Northway children lying on the side of the bypass, dead, like road kill?

The Barton West development should never have been considered. The councillors were so pleased with themselves, they forgot that they should first find a sensible way of getting in and out of the area before finalising the plan. They have had no consideration at all for the human rights of the residents of Northway, who should be protected from the destruction of Foxwell Drive green space and the pollution and danger which the road will bring with it; not sacrificed Northway’s treasured green, their peace and their safety, for the sake of their wonderful plans for Barton West development. It looks great and we sincerely wish them well – but please, not at the expense of Northway.

JANE COX

Chairman

Northway Residents’ Association