Long-awaited crossing for 'dangerous' road

The staggered toucan crossing, with signals for pedestrians and cyclists, will be installed on the A44 Woodstock Road

Work to introduce a long-awaited pedestrian crossing on a "dangerous section" of road has been praised by villagers.

The staggered toucan crossing, with signals for both pedestrians and cyclists, will be installed on the A44 Woodstock Road dual carriageway in Begbroke, Oxfordshire.

A campaign to introduce the measure, close to the roundabout junction with Spring Hill Road, has been ongoing for many years and was the subject of a petition in 2021.

Work began on the crossing last month and is expected to be completed by the end of February.

The crossing is being built about 60m (195ft) north of the roundabout junction with Spring Hill Road

Begbroke Parish Council said it was "absolutely thrilled" with the news, which follows a consultation in 2023.

Funding for the scheme was secured almost two years ago from Oxfordshire County Council but the works were delayed due to supplier and design issues.

Green councillor Ian Middleton, who represents Kidlington South on the county council, said: "This project has been pressed for by the villagers for many years, including the signing of a petition in 2021 that I was happy to support.

"So it's extremely gratifying to see work now well under way to provide this vital crossing point on a dangerous section of the A44."

He said there had been a "number of frustrating false starts and delays over the past couple of years".

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for transport management, said: "There was widespread support locally for this crossing to be installed because of the safety benefits it will bring.

"It is wonderful that work has now started on the project which will make it so much safer for the people who need to cross this busy road."