Witney: Frustration at ‘unnecessary’ new pedestrian crossing

The crossing was installed around 18 months ago on Burford Road in Witney near the Windrush pub but has still not been activated.

David Archer, from North Leigh, said it must have been expensive and is unnecessary.

He said: “I think it is approaching 18 months since installation and the system has still not been switched on.

“The leader of Oxfordshire County Council Liz Leffman gave me a date in letter of April 3, 2023, when the switch on would happen.

“Two months on no activation has taken place. Yes, this is not the biggest policy issue in her in tray but, the small details matter when implementing safety measures.

“I am now thinking she meant 3rd April 2050!”

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Mr Archer said the crossing made him wonder “what mixed up thinking is going on”.

“When we see a very expensive safety system, in place for a few people to get from one side of the road to the other, that is in the wrong place, a few hundred metres from where primary school children cross the same road every day, aided by a lollipop lady one does wonder,” he said.

Oxfordshire County Council explained that the pedestrian crossing is not theirs and has been installed by the nearby housing developers David Wilson Homes, as part of the planning permission for their development Kingfisher Meadows.

The aim was to provide a safe crossing point across the Burford Road to reach local amenities, including the town centre.

A spokesperson said: “The crossing will be opened for use once an electrical supply has been connected to the traffic signals by the developer.

“We were told some time ago that an order had been placed for the electrical supply, so that the crossing could be switched on.

“We will continue to chase the completion of the works.”

David Wilson Homes has been contacted.