Nearly 70 campaigners formed a human U-turn at a beauty spot after claiming council bosses had revived controversial plans to send traffic down narrow rural lanes.

Residents were joined by Mid Buckinghamshire MP Greg Smith at the corner of Shootacre Lane and Picts Lane in Princes Risborough on Wednesday.

The Princes Risborough Bypass ActioN Group, known as BANG, claims Buckinghamshire Council previously rejected the route because of concerns about safety, cost and its environmental impact.

However, campaigners say proposals involving the two lanes have now appeared in the council’s draft Local Plan, published in July.

Campaigners form a human U-turn with Mid Buckinghamshire MP Greg Smith at the junction of Shootacre Lane and Picts Lane in Princes Risborough Image: BANG

placeholder image — Campaigners form a human U-turn with Mid Buckinghamshire MP Greg Smith at the junction of Shootacre Lane and Picts Lane in Princes Risborough Image: BANG

Bucks Council advises that any projects, like the link road included in the draft, would through “detailed” processes and full consultation before being approved.

Proposals to route part of a new western relief road along Shootacre Lane and Picts Lane were first put forward in 2016 as part of plans for 2,500 homes which campaigners say would double the size of Princes Risborough. BANG says the council later selected a cheaper and safer alternative known as the Culverton Link.

Further proposals put forward in 2019 would have used the lanes as an interim route for ten years while the main relief road was constructed, but these were also abandoned.

Campaigners argue the lanes are unsuitable for increased traffic because Picts Lane forms part of a Sustrans National Cycle Route. Shootacre Lane lies within the Chilterns National Landscape and provides a link between the Ridgeway and Phoenix Trail.

BANG says the rural lanes are lined with ancient hedgerows and frequently used by cyclists, walkers, runners and horse riders.

According to the group, the council withdrew its planning application for the Princes Risborough Southern Road Link last year after saying it did not have enough money to deliver it.

BANG now claims the draft Local Plan has revived a route involving the two lanes, with the project expected to rely on funding from private developers.

Mr Smith said: “If we are going to be forced to take so many new houses, then it’s outrageously unacceptable, dangerous and frankly preposterous to try and force all of these vehicle movements – cars and lorries – down small rural lanes like this.

“If the houses are forced upon us, adequate roads must be provided and, in this case, in the form of the Culverton Link.”

BANG, which says it represents more than 70 households, has submitted a group representation to the council’s Regulation 19 Local Plan consultation.

Coordinator Philip Hayes accused the council of performing a “ludicrous U-turn” and claimed the plan was “unsound, unjustified and undeliverable”.

Councillor Michael Bracken said: “The draft Local Plan gives a broad picture of potential development in Buckinghamshire, any future scheme would go through a detailed design process, full safety assessment and public consultation where residents will be able to give their views ahead of any final decisions being made.

“The next stage of the Plan is to be submitted to the Planning Inspector and this submission will include all consultation responses.”