A campaign group has slammed a 'ludicrous' new toucan crossing in Bicester ahead of the works beginning later this month.
Howes Lane in Bicester will be closed temporarily to all motor vehicles from 7pm until 11pm on Tuesday, October 22, and it is anticipated to be closed until Friday, October 25 for the works to take place, which includes resurfacing and painting.
Oxfordshire County Council says the toucan crossing is 'necessary' in the 'interests of highway safety'.
However, the chair of campaign group Derwent Green Residents Group says the crossing is a 'ludicrous waste of money and time'.
The group, which comprises of over 70 adults living on the Greenwood Homes estate in Bicester, has been campaigning for more than 10 years for the realignment of Howes Lane.
In July, chair of the group Stephen Rand wrote to county councillor Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport, urging him to cancel the toucan work.
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“We did what we could to stop this ludicrous waste of money and time," said Mr Rand.
"The most worrying aspect is that the planning requirement only makes sense if Howes Lane is not going to be realigned – though we keep being told that is still the plan.”
Mr Rand added: "Closing the road for a few hours to complete a white elephant toucan crossing will give residents a very brief break, when what they have been asking for is a permanent solution.
"What’s more, these are residents who are convinced their houses have been flooded in recent weeks as a result of the building of the warehouses that made the crossing necessary – at least according to the planners."
Cherwell District Council said the planning applications for the new warehouses were accompanied by flood risk assessments, drainage strategies and plans which have been concluded to be 'acceptable' by statutory consultees.
Mr Rand added that the current situation turns the council planners into a 'laughing stock'.
“We now have a railway bridge with no road underneath it, a bit of the new road that isn’t joined up to anything, and a new toucan crossing built over a road that is due to disappear," he said.
"You couldn’t make it up.”
READ MORE: Howes Lane in Bicester to close for toucan crossing works
A spokesperson for Cherwell District Council said a toucan crossing was sought in line with the transport advice from Oxfordshire County Council to ensure 'safe access' for pedestrians and cyclists in the 'interim period'.
"The inspector required this by imposing a planning condition for its delivery as they considered it to be necessary in the interests of highway safety," they added.
A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council added: "The crossing will provide safe access for pedestrians and cyclists travelling to the new employment site – and crossing what is a busy road – until Howes Lane is realigned to the new developments.
“We are committed to delivering a strategic link road across the planned North West Bicester development, which includes the realigned Howes Lane.
"The railway bridge remains a key piece of infrastructure needed for the new road."
They added they are working with Cherwell District Council alongside developers and other bodies to agree on how best to deliver the road, with the conversations remaining at an 'early stage'.
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