Campaigners in Princes Risborough are celebrating after the council agreed to re-think plans for a relief road through which they say would “utterly destroy” the outskirts of the town.

The plan for the western relief route, which would have diverted traffic off the A4010 onto Shootacre Lane, was part of Wycombe District Council’s proposals to deliver up to 2,500 homes as well as two new primary schools – a move that would almost double the size of the town.

The council had shortlisted two options for the road, one of which continues along Picts Lane and the other heading to the east of Horsenden, but has now agreed to commission a new eight-week transport study looking at alternative routes.

Shootacre Lane resident Monica Nelson, 39, who formed the Bypass ActioN Group (BANG) to fight the plans, said: “We are pleased the council has commissioned a new piece of work to investigate alternative routes for the relief road as a result of our campaign.

“The planning team has obviously listened to our concerns and we welcome the opportunity to work together towards a better solution.

“The two suggested routes would utterly destroy this beautiful and peaceful part of Princes Risborough enjoyed by many horse-riders, cyclists, joggers and ramblers.

“We intend to keep up the fight until both of the proposed routes are scrapped.”

Back in March, around 80 residents from Shootacre Lane, Picts Lane and Horsenden came out to protest the move which was also condemned by Jay Kay, lead singer of Jamiroquai, who lives in the area.