A TEMPORARY road near Woodstock will be built despite residents’ complaints it represents a “travesty” for the area.

The tarmac haul road will run from Shipton Road, Shipton-on -Cherwell, crossing a bridleway that forms the boundary and into an open field. It will serve the major housing development of Woodstock East, approved in February this year, for two years.

The road was approved by Cherwell District Council’s planning committee last month. The track was opposed by Woodstock Town Council, which unanimously objected during consultation, citing “astronomical” costs, impact on the immediate environment and walkers’ being deprived access to the area.

Resident Trish Redpath said: “It requires tampering with a very well-used right of way and bridleway network. It feeds several local villages. This application is a travesty for the countryside. They have to look at alternative ways.”

The safety of people using public footpaths was considered in the application documents, and as a result, pedestrian crossings are going to be installed.

Cllr Debbie Pickford said: “I understand about the bridleway. I have ridden horses and walked dogs myself. Horses are skittish and dog owners have to be safe there. I do hope that the developers will make it safe, allow them to park their cars safely, and I’m sure everybody can get along for two years.”