The Stillwater City Council met last night to examine proposals for a new bypass route designed to reduce heavy traffic through the town centre. Officials reviewed three potential corridors that would link the A47 to the north with the B1145 to the south. Councillors stressed the need for improved connectivity while balancing environmental and residential impacts. The meeting drew a large audience of local residents and business owners who voiced strong opinions on each option.

Route Options Presented

Option one follows an eastern alignment skirting existing farmland and requiring two new roundabouts. Engineers estimate this route would cost approximately £42 million and take three years to complete. Option two runs closer to the western edge of Stillwater, passing near the industrial estate and necessitating the purchase of several commercial properties. This alignment is projected to cost £38 million but could displace up to twelve businesses. The third proposal uses a more northerly path through lower-grade agricultural land, promising lower construction costs at £31 million yet raising concerns about flood-plain encroachment. Council transport officers presented detailed traffic modelling showing each route would cut peak-hour delays by between 18 and 27 percent. Members questioned the accuracy of the forecasts and requested additional data on long-term maintenance liabilities. Several councillors highlighted the importance of securing government funding before any route receives final approval.

Community Feedback and Next Steps

Residents living near the proposed western corridor expressed fears over increased noise and air pollution. A petition signed by 1,400 people was submitted opposing option two. Environmental groups warned that the northern route could disturb protected wetland habitats and called for a full ecological survey. Business representatives argued that faster access would boost tourism and support the high street economy. The council agreed to hold two further public consultations in the coming weeks and to publish revised costings by the end of the month. A final decision is expected before the summer recess. Officers will also investigate potential cycle-path integration along whichever route is selected. The debate continues to divide opinion across the community as councillors weigh economic benefits against local quality-of-life considerations.