With the closure of Lime Walk and further works affecting Latimer Road, Highfield traffic levels through Bickerton and Stapleton Roads are causing much distress, noise and inconvenience to local residents.

The volume of traffic passing through Stapleton Road in particular has increased and it is noticeable that many vans and minicabs are using this route.

Oncoming traffic weaves in and out between parked cars, and vehicles are moving far too fast in this 20 MPH area in order to try and reach the other end of the street to ‘beat’ traffic coming the other way.

Those with drop kerbs for off road parking are finding their drives blocked by vehicles pulling in to let others pass.

We have contacted Thames Valley Police and they have set up increased patrols to sort out traffic problems. We are working with Highfield Residents’ Association to arrange a meeting with private hire and taxi companies to try and tackle speeding. We have asked the Oxford Pedestrians’ Association for support, and have lobbied the Cabinet Member Cllr Rodney Rose and the traffic planners to make improvements.

One of our paramount concerns is that county transport planners are intending to place timber bollards 450mm back from the edge of the dropped pavements at All Saints Junction to allow “wriggle room” for vehicles turning. It cannot be safe for vehicles and pedestrians to share footway. We have asked for advice from the officer who ensures highway safety but he has supported the traffic planners in this. We continue to battle on.