Calls for speed camera enforcement on 20mph street

Residents of Morell Avenue have been calling for speed cameras to be installed

Speed cameras should be introduced to enforce a 20mph limit on a residential street following a two-car crash, campaigners have said.

In a letter, councillors, residents and road safety groups called on the police, local authority and MP Anneliese Dodds to help implement the measure on Morell Avenue in Oxford.

Two people were taken to hospital after a BMW crashed into a taxi on Thursday.

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber said improving road safety "requires a multifaceted approach".

There have been ongoing calls to introduce speed cameras on Morell Avenue, which have already been raised with the county council, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The residents' letter said the road had repeatedly experienced "potentially life-threatening crashes" as a result of excessive speed.

Thursday's crash damaged both vehicles and nearby walls, although no-one was seriously hurt.

The letter also asks Dodds, the Labour MP for Oxford East, to press for a change to the law to give councils greater financial incentives to install and maintain speed cameras.

The MP said she had raised the issue of speeding in east Oxford "repeatedly", including with the PCC and the county council.

She said: "It is a matter of grave concern that we have not had the level of enforcement needed in key areas – and the PCC is aware of my calls on this."

A 20mph speed limit is in place in the area

Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport on the county council, said he "shared residents' concerns", but the council was only responsible for maintaining cameras, enforcement was a matter for the police.

Mr Barber said he had "strengthened" collaboration with other agencies over road safety.

"Enhancing the enforcement capability of the police is crucial, as is designing safer roads and improving the emergency service response when incidents do occur, as this requires a multifaceted approach," he added.

He previously announced early-stage plans to roll out average speed cameras on the A420, with a view to expanding it to other roads in the region if successful.