Another accident at a "dangerous" crossing has prompted concern as locals say they "feel very vulnerable" and politicians point the finger at each other over a "lack of action".
A crash on Tuesday (June 6) this week between a Toyota and a lorry at the Barton Park crossing at the A40 junction in Headington, in the Ring Road, was reported at 6.20am on Monday (June 3).
The collision led to a partial road closure, which was announced at 9.53am, and the road was reopened at approximately 10.10am.
Police have said the driver of the Toyota is in hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
READ MORE: Dramatic Oxford footage shows crash between lorry and car
Following this incident, the Barton Park community group says it has been campaigning for increased safety around the crossing since 2019 but "feel they have not been listened to".
A spokesman said: "We feel very vulnerable. This is our only access to Northway.
"We have young, elderly, disabled neighbours. We just want to safely live in a neighbourhood that was advertised as a 'healthy new town' and celebrated to encourage an active lifestyle."
The group added "there have been many big collisions" and "we are seriously worried that there will be a fatality soon".
Liam Walker, Conservative county councillor, said: "I cannot believe the road safety issues around the Barton Park estate are still ongoing.
"When I was cabinet member for highways back in 2021 I set up regular meetings with key council officers and representatives of the community to focus on the improvements needed.
"Since the coalition have taken over there seems to be a real lack of action from the current and previous cabinet member for highways.
"The Lib Dem highways cabinet member is keen to slow down cars in many villages across Oxfordshire with 20mph signs but has failed to do anything where there are serious pedestrian safety issues on a regular basis."
Highways chief Andrew Gant insists he has engaged "very thoroughly" with the issue.
He added: "I have attended meetings in Barton Park to hear concerns first hand from residents, most recently just a few weeks ago.
“We have made considerable progress in engaging with stakeholders including the police on issues such as speed cameras and phasing, the proactive enforcement of banned turns at the Barton Park/ A40 junction and timing of lights and other mitigations.
"I have spoken to the Police Scrutiny Panel and the police and crime commissioner in person about speed cameras, with good progress.
“Unfortunately the fundamental cause of the very real problem here is the design that was approved by the planning authority and signed off by the county council as Highways authority under a previous administration."
Former highways chief Tim Bearder, who stood to be a police and crime commissioner in the local elections, added: “It is very clear that arbitrarily reducing the speed limit on a long straight dual carriageway as a compensation for the footbridge that should have been built was no compensation at all.
"I really hope that the newly elected police and crime commissioner will honour some of the statements he made during the election campaign and work with me to deliver average speed cameras at this location."
Oxfordshire County Council says it has placed marshals to to assist pedestrians crossing the A40 while the lights have been down until the repairs are carried out.
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