Drivers using Oxford's Cowley Road on June 25 are being warned to watch out for a series of roadside cameras.

But the cameras will not be checking speeds in the 30mph zone. Department for Transport road safety experts are using the devices to record traffic and pedestrian movements to prepare for the installation of new traffic calming measures in 2005.

There will be eight cameras positioned on Cowley Road, between Magdalen Road and The Plain, from 6am to midnight.

David Robertson, the county council's executive member for transport, said: "The survey will provide essential information to aid the design process for the road safety demonstration project.

"It is part of a package of survey work to be carried out for the project over the next few months."

The Cowley Road project is one of five road safety projects in the UK being funded by the Department for Transport, with £1m being available for each scheme.

The project will be developed with the help of the local community.

Apart from improving road safety the scheme aims to enhance the environment and economy of the area.

East Oxford Action is co-ordinating public consultation to get the community involved in the scheme, the design of which is still up for discussion.

Work will be carried out between January and September 2005 to improve safety, ease traffic jams and smarten up the road, which is densely populated, with a lot of multiple-occupation housing.

Pedestrian and cycle safety issues will also be looked at.

It is unclear how much of the £1m grant will be spent on consultation, most of which is being done on a voluntary basis.

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