Banbury rat run for heavy lorries to be closed as roads bosses go for a ban

Oxfordshire County Council has presented a raft of new roads measures for the Easington estate. They include new crossings for pedestrians near the Horton View/Ruskin Road junction of Springfield Avenue and weight restrictions on all Easington roads.

Residents have until June 19 to lodge any comments with the county in a consultation on the plans.

Cllr Kieron Mallon, representing the area, said: “The number of HGVs and lorries rat running through Easington on the narrow roads has increased over the years. This has worsened in recent months with construction traffic from the two developments at the Salt Way using Easington as a short cut. With the next phase of the massive Salt Way development commencing soon I wish to stop the escalation of inappropriate traffic through this lovely residential area.

"Easington residents should not have to suffer from excessive noise, construction dust and a poor air quality because of this development. The roads are not built for HGVs and some damage to curbs has already taken place.

“Conflict of traffic with pedestrians and school children is an ongoing concern. I met with (Sylvia) Thomas, Head of Wykham Park Academy to discus potential improvements. OCC will now introduce vehicle Activated Signs on Springfield Avenue to warn motorists”

“I also wish to provide a new zebra crossing on the south side of the Horton View/Ruskin Rd junction to match the one on the north side. This will also help elderly residents of Stanbridge House who cross at this point to get to the shops. Post Office and bus stop on Horton View.”

Notices advertising the changes last week said: "Concerns expressed by local residents that lorries and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are using the minor residential roads between the A361 Bloxham Road and the A4260 Oxford Road in Banbury to avoid traffic congestion... will be further exacerbated by two new construction sites at opposite sides of the proposed restriction.

"It is therefore proposed to introduce an environmental weight limit (7.5 tonnes) for goods vehicles within the Easington area of Banbury."

The new roads order will extend the locations which prohibit vehicles over 7.5 tonnes (loaded) from using the roads within the Easington estate from Easington Road at its junction with the A361 Bloxham Road, Springfield Avenue at its junction with the A361 Bloxham Road, Horton View at its junction with the A4260 Oxford Road, Farmfield Road at its junction with the A4260 Oxford Road and Grange Road at its junction with the A4260 Oxford Road.

There will be exemptions emergency services vehicles, utilities and roadworks teams.

Roads bosses hope the restrictions will help stem damage to existing road surfaces and traffic calming measures.

Changes in the system are also being introduced to improve pedestrian safety in the area used by many children to reach Wykham Park Academy on foot. They include changes to raised tables and zebra crossings - to include a new zebra crossing.

For more details of the consultation on the plans see https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk.