Engineers have finally fixed a faulty pedestrian crossing — after city councillors called in the Oxford Mail.

The councillors asked us to intervene after attempting for more than two weeks to get the Headington crossing's lights mended.

Ward councillor David Rundle said the area around the crossing, near the junctions of London Road and Latimer Road, Oxford, had a large amount of sheltered housing and nursing homes.

He said: "It's a tale of how public concern — and the Press — can have a positive effect.

"The lights had not been working for some time, making it really difficult for elderly residents to get about. We were so frustrated we called the Oxford Mail and arranged a photoshoot."

And hours later, county council engineers had got the lights fixed.

Mr Rundle said: "I do wonder how long it would have taken to get the lights going again if it hadn’t been for contacting the Press.

"The tale is a sad one of buck-passing between a privatised utility and the county council but, to give them their due, county officers and contractors on the ground did a sterling job."

Fellow councillor Ruth Wilkinson added: "It was causing great inconvenience for everyone, particularly the elderly people living in Latimer Road unable to cross the road and get the bus to the doctors, shops and church.

"I was concerned for people's safety."

Len Samways, 82, of Latimer Grange, said it was a relief to have the crossing fixed.

He said: "We need the crossing all the time — it's very important."

Mike Collins, principal engineer at Oxfordshire County Council, said the council asked for the lights, which were damaged when they were hit by a vehicle, to be fixed last week.

He said officers had wanted Southern Electric to reconnect power to the lights as soon as possible.

But Southern Electric said it only received official permission from the county council to carry out the work on Friday.

Southern Electric spokesman Morven Smith said: "We must have permission from the council to work on the road.

"We have to follow the rules, or we could face fines."

The county council is undertaking a £3m project to tackle congestion in Headington — due to be completed in February.

Key improvements include installing a new pedestrian crossing outside Headington School, a 20mph speed limit between Pullens Lane and Headley Way and street enhancements between Pullens Lane and Gipsy Lane.

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