Claygate parish councillors are at loggerheads with Kingston Council planners over a proposed Malden Rushett A3 bypass, with some claiming the plans would “kill” the village.

It is hoped that building a motorway connecting the A243 and A3 south of Malden Rushett, cutting past Oxshott, will ease congestion in Chessington and Hook, which is expected to worsen when the high-speed Crossrail 2 arrives in the borough. But it will have to plough through greenbelt land.

Claygate residents have been vocal about the impact the proposition would have on their village, which prides itself on retaining its historic rural feel.

Ken Huddart, chairman of the highways and transportation committee of Claygate parish council, said: “Traffic will force its way from the A3 into the Claygate and will make its way through to Esher.

“It will destroy the main carriageway and will transform it from a village into a through road.

“It’s a threat as far as we’re concerned. The local authority will throw their dirty water into their neighbour’s territory. It’s likely we’ll get no sympathy from Kingston.

“It would kill it, Claygate would cease to exist.”

Kingston Council is now revisiting the plans 25 years after they were originally floated.

A Kingston Council spokeswoman said: “The council is currently considering options for its emerging local plan over the forthcoming years. Chessington is one of a number of study areas in respect of supporting infrastructure, including congestion alleviation.

“The council will continue to liaise with the county council, Surrey planning authorities and other key partners on a range of cross boundary matters in taking forward its strategic planning for the area.

“If the plans go ahead, all partners, including Transport for London, will play an active role.”

But Geoff Herbert, vice chairman of Claygate parish council, said: “If you have a lot of traffic flowing up to the A3 they will have a lot of traffic coming through Claygate, and using it as a cut through will, it’s not too good. It would be absolute chaos.

“We don’t want to push Kingston into a corner. Particularly, Chessington generates a lot of traffic and I’m sure they would love a way to pull that away from the residents there. We understand Kingston has a problem, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of Claygate.”