A campaign has been launched to install traffic-calming measures in Rose Hill, Oxford.

Ann Horrell, Ed and Lisa Dunn and Claudia Mohun

Martin Cattermole, of Church Hill Road, is leading the Cowley Safer Streets campaign, which calls for action to tackle speeding vehicles.

Mr Cattermole says cars are using Church Hill Road, Westbury Crescent, Kelburne Road, Mayfair Road and Beauchamp Lane as a rat-run.

"Many people drive too fast down these streets and there have been a number of accidents," he said.

"We would like to see traffic calming measures introduced and a 20mph zone.

"We would also like pedestrian crossings on busy roads used as routes to school, such as Church Cowley Road and Littlemore Road, both of which are unsafe for children.

"Other parts of Cowley have had traffic-calming measures, including speed humps and gates."

The group began a survey last week to assess the level of public concern and it already knows about four accidents in the last two years.

Richard Mohun, of Church Hill Road, had his car damaged in July, costing £5,000. He wrote to the council three years ago to ask for 20mph limit in the area, but was told there had not been enough accidents causing serious injury.

"Do you have to wait until there's a serious injury? It's just the wrong mentality," he said.

The group hopes to arrange a public meeting to discuss the problem with the ward's city councillors, Bill Buckingham and Ed Turner, and county councillor Olive Stedman.

It has also set up a webpage on the BBC's action network.

Mr Turner, who represents Rose Hill and Iffley on the council, said he was in favour of improving road safety.

"Safety has got to be a priority and certainly the area is well known for rat-running, but we have to consult very carefully with local people to see what measures would be appropriate," he added.