Buckinghamshire Council’s highways team has renewed its warning of the impact Marlow Film Studios could have on local transport networks.

A decision on the multi-million-pound project, which would be built on greenbelt land near the A404 Marlow bypass, is expected to be made by the council later this year.

In October, councillors on the Strategic Sites Committee voted to defer a discussion on the project for further analysis of its environmental, transport and economic impact.

That deferral came in spite of refusal recommendations from both Bucks Council’s planning officers and its highways department.

Now, following the submission of fresh transport plans – including a £20 million proposed investment into local travel networks – the Highways Authority has taken another look at the application, but doesn’t appear to have changed its mind.

Bucks Highways’ newest consultation examines a raft of new proposals by developers including new walking and cycling routes to Bourne End and pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular upgrades to Westhorpe roundabout.

The roundabout, a vital piece of local transport infrastructure close to the studio’s proposed site, would be “improved” by added signals and a site access junction if developers have their way.

In the consultation, Bucks Highways said traffic flow modelling showed that studio commuters would likely have “a severe impact on the local network” even if the new measures were approved.

Dido Property Ltd, the company behind Marlow Film Studios, has also said a commuter influx would be offset by additional public transport routes.

However, the Highways Authority raised concern over whether the level and timings of the proposed routes, which could force commuters to switch between public transport services, would offer an “attractive and convenient” enough alternative to driving to work.

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The highways officer said they could not conclude that the development would be "acceptable (or) well-connected with safe and suitable access” and therefore recommended that the council refuse planning permission.

A spokesperson for the local environmental campaign group Save Marlow’s Greenbelt said they were “pleased” to learn of Bucks Highways’ renewed recommendation.

They said: “The report shows (the development) would cause significant congestion over a wide area, that road safety would be compromised and that workers would be likely to park in nearby residential streets.

“It is now clear that Dido can do nothing to mitigate the impact of 2,000 workers commuting to and from the studio every day.”

But Robert Laycock, CEO of the film studio, remained undeterred.

He described Bucks Highways’ consultation as “part of an ongoing dialogue between (the developers), the council and other UK traffic authorities”.

Adding: “The final decision on the application will be made by the Strategic Sites Committee of Buckinghamshire Council on the basis of various inputs, including this one.

“Our proposed measures for traffic management around the Westhorpe roundabout and the A404 will result in a much safer environment for roundabout users, less congestion and better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

“The overall proposals represent a significant investment in the community, including a variety of local traffic infrastructure improvements, better active travel routes and new bus services that would not happen otherwise.

“We look forward to continuing the discussion and resolving the last few issues raised in the (consultation).”

The plans for Marlow Film Studios were recently backed by Titanic director James Cameron but have also generated over 1,000 letters of objection from residents, with many raising concerns about its environmental impact.

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