New vehicle weight limits set for Banbury neighbourhood

Vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes will no longer be able to use roads in parts of Easington thanks to action taken by local Cllr Kieron Mallon and Oxfordshire County Council.

Springfield Avenue, Ruskin Road, Wykham Place, Farmfield Road, Beechfield Crescent, Grange Road, Horton View, St Georges Crescent, Easington Road, and Easington Gardens will all be subject to a new Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which started earlier this week on September 21.

Easington cllr Kieron Mallon said: “I lobbied for the implementation of a weight limit. This predominantly residential area, which has four schools in the vicinity, has seen a notable increase in the number of large vehicles and HGVs using these streets as a rat run to avoid the main Bloxham and Oxford roads despite them being a more suitable and equally convenient alternative.

"This has led to considerable safety concerns for residents, the students of local schools, and other road users. Moreover, these vehicles have caused damage to the highway infrastructure and produced unwarranted noise and air pollution.

"Construction traffic for the Saltway housing developments has become a particular problem and with groundwork on further phases due to start soon, it was vital that this weight limit was introduced at this time.

"Of course, there will be exemptions to the TRO including emergency service vehicles and buses, and other public service vehicles, but I hope its implementation will be positively received and, more importantly, improve safety for residents and road users alike.”

New Signage advising HGVs of the weight limit have been placed at all entry points off the Oxford and Bloxham Roads.

The introduction of a weight limit is part of a comprehensive package of improved safety measures in this part of Easington.

Vehicle activated signs have been installed in both directions on Springfield Avenue to warn motorists that schools are nearby and a second Zebra crossing is due soon.

Cllr Mallon is also examining whether some of the grassed parts of the pavements on roads including Springfield Avenue, Horton View and Easington Road could be removed, widening the paths, and granting more space to pedestrians, parents, and students.