Chicanes planned for notorious speeding area in a Banburyshire village

The chicanes, with gates and signs, are to be installed on Milton Road and Berry Hill Road in a bid to end speeding on the road which is used as a rat run between the Oxford Road and the A361 Chipping Norton Road in Bloxham.

Other traffic calming measures include trialling the closure of the approach road to Horn Hill Road to deter drivers from cutting through the village centre to the Oxford Road and Banbury.

It is hoped gateways and an extension of the 'no overtaking' lines on Oxford Road towards Deddington will also deter speeding.

Jonathan White, a highways expert co-opted on to Adderbury Parish Council's environmental committee, said the plan - which has taken a year to formulate with the help of authorities including Thames Valley Police - is now dependent on Oxfordshire County Council to come up with the appropriate costings and undertake the work.

The money for the improvements will come from contributions made by developers of new housing estates on the village's outskirts, he said.

"We have come up with something we think all stakeholders can sign up to," said Mr White. "Some of the signage necessary is already up and we are waiting for county council crews to improve the lines on the roads. "We are waiting for Thames Valley Police for feedback on creating hard-standings on the sides of Milton Road for visiting mobile speed cameras. We're holding the money for them."

Mr White said the five principal roads into Adderbury all had issues. Oxford Road and Milton Road have particular problems with speeding.

"Surveys show that on Oxford Road, over 700 vehicles a day are doing more than 45mph in a 30mph speed limit with an average of 14 a day going over 60mph."

The two chicanes will be situated at the speed limit signs in Milton Road and Berry Hill Road so drivers turning left off the Oxford Road will immediately be slowed down. Those coming from the Bloxham direction will not be able to speed through that end of the village.

Mr White said: "The parish council would love to put chicanes up on all the approach roads but the county council won't let us because of the volume of traffic and the possibility of gridlock."

He said before an official closure blocking traffic turning left towards Horn Hill Road, a trial would take place involving placement of heavy planters across the road. Those needing to access the road will have to negotiate a 120 degree turn from the other side of The Oak triangle. The turn has been tested by school buses to ensure access for larger vehicles is still possible.

The parish council hopes work will be underway this year or at least within the current financial year. The cost, originally estimated at £30,000 is now closer to £45,000, said Mr White.

A letter has gone out to all residents. Mr White said it was important they were 'onside' about the plan and that anyone with objections or comments was able to voice them.