Go-ahead given for £3m road facelift

From the archive, first published Friday 7th Sep 2007.

A £3M improvement scheme for a major Oxford arterial road has been given the go-ahead.

Oxfordshire County Council's transport decisions committee yesterday aproved plans for London Road, in Headington.

But Oxford Brookes University has been given two weeks to draft a viable alternative plan for pedestrian access to its Gipsy Lane campus.

A decision on the controversial plan to fill in the Headington pedestrian subway will not be taken until 2009 - following further detailed studies.

However, transport officers remain adamant that closing the subway - and replacing it with a pelican crossing with traffic lights - is the best option.

The work is scheduled to start next spring between Pullens Lane and Osler Road. It is expected to take a total of 48 weeks, with work carried out in phases during next year and in 2009.

A 300-signature petition, calling for retention of the subway, near Stephen Road, was presented to the meeting.

But committee chairman Ian Hudspeth said: "Most people prefer a pelican crossing, particularly at night.

"Therefore, if we retain the subway, obviously people could put themselves in danger crossing the road at night."