Mothers and their children will no longer have to run the gauntlet of a busy road in Blackbird Leys thanks to a new £25,000 footbridge.

Cllr Gill Sanders cut the tape to officially open the bridge, accompanied by Cllr Barbara Gatehouse and local residents

On Thursday, April 15, the bridge, which crosses Northfield Brook in Windale Avenue, was officially opened.

According to Blackbird Leys county councillor Barbara Gatehouse, it will prevent "an accident that was waiting to happen".

Although there have not been any accidents involving mothers pushing buggies and prams, Mrs Gatehouse said: "This road has got much busier and with mothers and their buggies using the road, it was a real risk and an accident waiting to happen."

The project was the brainchild of Blackbird Leys Parish Council and funded by Oxford City Council's south east area committee.

Now the committee's chairman, Littlemore councillor Gill Sanders, has urged the community to come forward and suggest other projects they could help fund.

Mrs Sanders said: "This project was supported by the area committee and will be of great benefit to the community - we now want to hear of other ideas we might be able to support.

"I know this bridge will be well used and much appreciated - particularly by the parents and children who go to Windale School.

"Windale Avenue is now a very busy road and the new bridge will ensure a much safer journey to and from school."

The south east area committee has a pot of cash specifically to help fund community schemes such as the footbridge or the day-to-day running costs of projects.

For more information call area committee coordinator Fergus Lapage on 01865 252249.