New traffic calming measures are being put on hold until residents have been properly consulted, writes Andrew Ffrench.

That was the decision taken at Oxfordshire County Council's highways and road safety sub-committee yesterday following fierce opposition from residents.

Highways officers wanted to introduce traffic-calming measures at South Bar, Horsefair, and North Bar, on the Banbury's main north-south through route because of 52 accidents on the road in five years.

The 200,000 scheme involving 17 raised road sections would encourage drivers to use the inner relief route of Upper Windsor Street, Windsor Street, Cherwell Street, Concord Avenue, and Hennef Way.

But councillors and residents said the proposals, which would include cycle lanes, were not necessary.

John Bell, spokesman for Banbury Civic Society, said: "We are extremely concerned about these proposals.

"This is the major route for police cars and ambulances and these measures would be a considerable obstruction to vehicles that are in a hurry. The vast majority of the public are opposed to these proposals."

Banbury councillor Kieron Mallon told the committee that the strong objections of the town council had not been properly considered.

He added: "This is the first major consultation that Banbury town council has had with the county council. Amazingly, the highways report gave no reference to the town's objections and seemed determined to push this dreadful scheme through."

Cllr Mallon added that the police statistics he had obtained showed there had been fewer than 52 accidents in three years.

Following the objections, councillors agreed in principle to the traffic-calming scheme but accepted that it would not go ahead until further consultation had taken place with the town council and Cherwell district council.

This would be done with a view to developing a modified scheme.