New measures to slow traffic will come to a "dangerous" Oxford suburb road which "many children use to get to and from school".

Cabinet member for transport management Andrew Gant approved the traffic calming policies for Sandy Lane West in Blackbird Leys at a county council meeting on Thursday (September 5) last week.

This comes after an online survey suggested a lot more people supported rather than objected to the proposals for a humped zebra crossing, raised side road entry treatments (SRETs) and round top road humps at Sandy Lane West.

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Speaking out at the meeting, Mr Gant said: "Many children use Sandy Lane West to get to and from school.

"There is a lot of support here and a lot of recognition that this is about safety - safety and children."

Stock photo of speed bumps.Stock photo of speed bumps. (Image: Newsquest)

Of the 29 consultation responses received, there were two objections to the zebra crossing, 19 in support, seven partially supporting and one left blank.

There were six objections to the SRET, 11 in support, six partially supporting and six offering no objections.

Road humps saw four objections, 18 in support, five partially support and two listing no objection.

One unnamed Herschel Crescent householder said: "My daughter goes to school at St John Fisher and this road is very dangerous."

Another anonymous householder added: "I drive down there for work frequently and it’s a really dangerous crossing for pedestrians there are so many children walking down Sandy Lane for school it’s really important to prioritise their safety and clear road markings will make it easier for drivers to do that."

Andrew Gant (L).Andrew Gant (L). (Image: Oxfordshire County Council.)

A couple of respondents blamed LTNs (Low Traffic Neighbourhoods) as a reason why Sandy Lane West had become "dangerous".

One Sandy Lane West householder said: "Sandy Lane West has become exceptionally busier and more dangerous since the introduction of the nearby LTNs."

A Spring Lane householder added: "At last, totally agree with all parts of the proposal.

"However as the amount of traffic in Sandy Lane West has increased since the introduction of the Cowley LTN and the fact that it is a feeder on and off the eastern bypass, no parking should be allowed along its length at any time, with the exception of a small window for school pickup."

Sandy Lane West.Sandy Lane West. (Image: Google Maps.)

The measures approved are a humped zebra crossing west of the road's junction with Broadfields and SRETs across its junctions with Broadfields, Costar Close and Spring Lane.

The round top road humps will lie 1.19m southwest of the western kerb-line of Blackbird Leys Road, 2.15m northeast of the centre of its junction with Costar Close, 3.55m east of the centre of its junction with Spring Lane, 4.2m west of the centre of its junction with Spring Lane, and 5.25m west of its junction with Bampton Close.

 

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi