I HAVE recently returned home after a few weeks abroad and discovered a document outlining changes to the local road network.

I understand that change and progress is good for the area, especially in terms of job creation, but only when it is properly planned.

That is not something that can be said about Omega and the associated infrastructure.

When planning such monumental changes surely the wishes of residents should be properly taken into account and not just paid lip service.

For instance there were public meetings to view the latest road schemes but we were told that work starts in September, so obviously any views expressed will not be listened to.

So what is the point of having the public meetings?

When Omega was first granted planning consent it was in conjunction with changes to junction eight.

Nine years later most of the distribution outlets are built but still no changes to the junction.

Should infrastructure not be done first?

The motorway junction is already struggling to cope with the traffic despite the installation of so-called smart traffic lights.

In fact a few weeks ago the lights were broken and the traffic actually flowed better. Has anyone ever considered turning them off in nonpeak times?

The council, the Government or whoever controls planning decisions has finally woken up to the fact that junction eight is not fit for purpose and that is before the addition of further distribution outlets and 1,100 new homes so they have come up with a so-called improved scheme.

I believe that the majority of residents will be aghast at the proposal.

Firstly we face 18 months of disruption to our lives while the work is done.

Secondly, the scheme is doomed to failure for residents.

Anyone with an ounce of common sense will tell you that more traffic through the same junction will mean more delays.

The scheme essentially just creates extra lanes so that more cars can queue in a shorter space thus not blocking the motorway.

How does this help residents who have to use Burtonwood Road?

The problem is further compounded by having another set of lights where it is proposed Chalon Way will join Burtonwood Road – more delays.

This scheme is purely to ease congestion on the motorways and the roundabout but has no consideration for all those residents who use Burtonwood Road south of the M62.

In most walks of life if people made such fundamental planning errors they would lose their job, but of course that’s me assuming that the residents were of primary importance.

Surely the best way to sort this problem out would have been to build a new junction a mile or so to the west of junction eight that gave direct access onto the Omega site.

Presumably the cost was more important than the lifestyle of residents.

GEOFF BRUCE Warrington