PLANS to run a bus link through a residential street to the Handy Cross Hub have been ‘called in’ by a senior councillor.

Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Planning and Transportation Cllr Janet Blake ruled Daws Lea was the best option for the Daws Hill Area Travel Link - which will cost upwards of £2.3m.

But the council’s Environment, Transport and Locality Select Committee has been asked to scrutinise the decision by Cllr Lesley Clarke.

Cllr Clarke took the step because of the lack of consultation with residents, who would be further blighted by noise and pollution.

She also questioned whether the goals of the project were proportionate to the cost and its impact on the area.

The Abbey Ward member said: "There was insufficient consultation with the Daws Hill Neighbourhood Forum and the residents of Daws Lea.

"There has been no discussion with them whatsoever, despite the fact a house will have to go to make way for the bus link.

"There’s also the eight buses an hour and then the school buses - why are we are taking buses off the main roads and down a residential road?

"That doesn’t get rid of the traffic; it’s just moving it to another traffic jam in another area."

Cllr Clarke said Cllr Blake was surprised by the noise spilling from the M40 in to Daws Lea during a tour of the area by the duo before the decision was taken.

"Cllr Blake said she had two options", Cllr Clarke said, "to which I replied, ‘you actually have a third - not do anything at this moment in time’ but she went with option one, which is not the best outcome in my opinion."

The other option put forward by BCC was to run a route behind Daws Lea parallel to the M40 - but that would cost an estimated £4.7m.

DHNF chairman Stewart Armstrong questioned not only the perceived benefits of the scheme but also the business case behind it.

He said: "Surely these monies, whether from tax payers or funded by developers, could be spent more wisely.

"It seems totally disproportionate to direct such a level of funds at a few bus passengers each hour.

"There has been no consultation on this decision, despite the road in question being at the heart of our formally designated area.

"Cllr Blake may have visited the site but she is clearly out of touch with resident sentiment on this, some of whom have lived here for 30 years."

BCC previously said the scheme would be subject to the usual planning processes and a further public consultation.

The select committee will run the rule over Cllr Blake’s decision on December 18.

A petition - calling for an independent, public enquiry into Wycombe’s transportation network - has been launched and signed by 187 people.

To sign it, click here.