Plans for hundreds of homes at Draycott on the edge of Cam have provoked sharp warnings from local councillors over traffic congestion, emergency access and the capacity of local services.
Highway safety and congestion fears
Cam Parish and Stroud District councillors heard that motorists living in the proposed development would be likely to use the junction onto Box Road and the A4135 to reach Cam and Dursley station. Councillor Martin Pearcys told the meeting he feared motorists would face severe delays and take risks trying to access the station.
"They will struggle, they might get in but they won't get out. I do really think it is going to be a real congestion area. I've seen frustrated people trying to get past to get to their train taking risks."
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Gloucestershire County Council told Cam Parish Council it would recommend that Stroud District Council refuse planning permission for the development on the basis of concerns about emergency vehicle provision and the number and layout of entrance and exit points. The county council did not make a formal public comment at this stage.
Changes to junctions and outstanding issues
Cam Parish councillor Tina Walker said the county council had also agreed the Box Road junction with the A4135 would need to be altered as part of the proposals, describing that junction as "an ongoing concern". She and others urged that the proposals be deferred until matters such as density, ecology and highway access have been resolved.
District councillor Lindsey Green raised the capacity of local services, asking whether GP surgeries and secondary schools could absorb the additional demand generated by the new homes. Officers present said the authorities had requested developer contributions towards health and education infrastructure.
What is at stake locally
The debate highlights the common local tension between delivering new housing and protecting existing transport links, emergency service access and community facilities. For Cam and Dursley residents — many of whom rely on the station and the A4135 corridor — the outcome could substantially affect daily travel and service provision.
- Main concerns: congestion at Box Road/A4135 junction; emergency vehicle access; entrance/exit layout
- Service pressures: GP surgeries and secondary schools may need additional capacity
- Remedies sought: junction changes, developer contributions, outstanding ecology and density issues to be addressed
| Issue | Raised by |
|---|---|
| Congestion at station junction | Cllr Martin Pearcys |
| Recommendation to refuse on emergency access grounds | Gloucestershire County Council (to Cam Parish Council) |
| Capacity of GP surgeries and schools | Cllr Lindsey Green |
Stroud District Council will consider the planning application and any formal recommendations from the county council and statutory consultees before making a decision. Residents seeking to follow the progress of the application may consult Stroud District Council's planning pages for updates and details of meetings where the scheme will be discussed.
