A PROPOSED route to be taken by repatriations corteges for fallen soldiers from RAF Brize Norton has been released.

Wootton Bassett has become known for its public displays of support at ceremonies held when corteges pass through the town from RAF Lyneham.

But the Wiltshire base is due to close in September, when Brize Norton will take over the role.

Last night, Oxfordshire County Council said it had worked with Thames Valley Police and a range of local organisations on plans for the route.

The RAF is building a repatriation centre at the airfield, so corteges can leave from a gate at the eastern side of the airfield, south of Brize Norton village, before turning into Carterton Road. A contingency plan is also being considered which would allow corteges to leave the base directly into Carterton Road.

The corteges will then head up the eastern edge of Carterton, along Norton Way and into Monaghan Way before joining the A40 south of Minster Lovell.

Council spokesman Paul Smith said: “It is proposed that space should be made available for families or friends wishing to pay respects at Norton Way, where there is the ability to have temporary road closures with minimum disruption to local traffic and diversionary routes are available.”

Once on the A40, the corteges will head to Oxford before turning into Marsh Lane at Marston and arriving at the John Radcliffe Hospital along Headley Way.

Jim Lewendon, 81, vice-president of the Oxfordshire branch of the Royal British Legion, organises the standard bearers who line Headley Way.

He said: “The temporary road closures sound sensible because there could potentially be thousands of people paying their respects, and they will need somewhere to congregate.”

The county council said parish and town councils in the area would discuss the proposed route over the next few weeks. Responses to the consultation will be considered at the end of next month.