THE HEADINGTON subway has kept people safe for 40 years and is a secure way for people to cross the road without accidents.

The subway was designed to prevent people being hurt.

When we mention to disabled people that the subway is due to be replaced with a light-controlled crossing, they say they would prefer to keep the subway, and would not shop in Headington if it went.

One partially-sighted person runs successful business nearby and relies on it daily.

A traffic island would not be able to cope with the large numbers of people crossing the road in one go, as the subway can.

At Christmas, a party of 150 schoolchildren went safely through the subway. Parents and children love to use it and adults are secure in the knowledge that their children are safe.

How can this guaranteed safety be taken away – bearing in mind the heavy traffic and the speed of emergency service vehicles heading down London Road.

The majority of local businesses and charity shops have signed my petition to keep the subway open – which totals 4,258.

How can any amount of tax payers’ money be justified in filling in the subway at a time of severe cutbacks and recession?

MICK HAINES Croft Road New Marston Oxford