A DECISION not to install traffic lights close to a planned new leisure development at the Water Park has infuriated the neighbouring parish council and led to accusations of councillors failing to represent the interests of the village.

The Water Park development, which was approved by Cotswold District Council last week, includes a health club, swiming pool, restaurant and shops at the site of the present Cotswold Cableski operation on the Spine Road near Cerney Wick.

During the consultation period on the plans, South Cerney with Cerney Wick Parish Council expressed concerns about road safety and requested that as a condition of approval the developers be asked to pay for the installation of interactive traffic lights at the junction of Cerney Wick Lane and the Spine Road.

The request, however, was turned down by the district council's planning committee which decided instead to accept a recommendation from the county highways department for adjustments to the junction itself.

At a meeting of South Cerney Parish Council following the decision Cllr Philip Nicholas criticised Cllr Anne Clark, who represents the parish on the district council, of failing to use enough influence at the planning meeting and of not representing the views of the parish council on the matter.

Cllr Clark replied that she did as she felt fit.

She later admitted to the Standard that she had not spoken when the subject was discussed by the planning committee but the views of the parish council had been very eloquently expessed by a representative from Cerney Wick.

She added that as the highways authority were experts on the matter she felt it was likely that their solution would be the right one.