SNOASIS would not cause major traffic problems for most of Suffolk a transport expert said today. Andrew Jenkins, a highway engineer, told the public inquiry into the £300million scheme that new measures would be put in place in Sproughton to deal with any increased traffic in the village.

SNOASIS would not cause major traffic problems for most of Suffolk a transport expert said today.

Andrew Jenkins, a highway engineer, told the public inquiry into the £300million scheme that new measures would be put in place in Sproughton to deal with any increased traffic in the village.

But he added that outside of Sproughton no other villages were likely to be heavily affected - a remark that brought chuckles from some of the members of the public watching day six of the inquiry at Ipswich Corn Exchange.

He said that if Onslow Suffolk got the go ahead to build the winter sports complex on the former Mason's quarry at Great Blakenham money would be invested in traffic calming measures in Sproughton including new traffic lights.

Mr Jenkins said: “If other villages are concerned it will be for the County Council firstly to identify locations where problems are being identified which may arise from traffic relating to SnOasis.”

Mr Jenkins report for the planning inquiry highlighted that Onslow Suffolk's application to build SnOasis and a £15million railway station as well as an application from Persimmon Homes to build 421 homes, included improving transport links.

As well as the new station a shuttle bus from the station to SnOasis and a bus from Ipswich town centre to SnOasis would be introduced. There would also be improvements to the Copdock interchange.

Mr Jenkins was giving evidence before planning inspector John Gray who has been appointed by the government to consider whether the development should be built.

Mid Suffolk District Council gave the proposals the go ahead last year but the government has ruled it will have the final say.

The proposals have been opposed by the SnOasis Community Alliance.

The inquiry continues.

n. What do you think of the evidence so far? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

SnOasis - the inquiry

There are three planning applications at the centre of the public inquiry. Mid Suffolk District Council gave all three outline planning approval last year but the government has ruled it will have the final say.

The first application is for the SnOasis leisure complex itself.

SnOasis would include an indoor ski slope measuring 400metres long with a 100-metre vertical drop as well as a range of other facilities, including a nursery ski slope, ice rink, ice climbing wall, bobsleigh ride and an academy for winter sports athletes.

There would also be restaurants, a nightclub, conference centre, cinema and a range of other facilities.

Guests would stay in a 350-room four star hotel, 350 chalets or a hostel located on site.

The second application is for a 421-home Persimmon homes housing development on the nearby Blue Circle cement works site.

The third is for a £15million railway station for Great Blakenham.