A JUNCTION where a cyclist was fatally injured was an “accident waiting to happen”, say residents.

Janet Hagerty, 68, of Stonehill Walk, Abingdon, died after a collision with a car at the junction of Preston Road and Kensington Close last Wednesday morning.

Neighbours said that Mrs Hage-rty, a mother of two sons and a grandmother, may have been cycling to her tai chi class in town.

One neighbour, who said she was a lifelong friend of Mrs Hagerty but did not want to be named, said: “We are very concerned about that turning.

“It can be quite daunting when you have got cars parked there, and we are fed up with it.

“It is particularly bad when you are coming up the road and the sun is in your eyes.

“It was an accident waiting to happen.”

She said Mrs Hagerty, a former Larkmead School pupil, who worked at Pavlova Leatherworks and Medisense in Abingdon, was a “helpful, kind and caring lady.”

She added: “We are all going to miss her.”

Oxford Mail:

Floral tributes left at the scene

Vale of White Horse district councillor for Caldecott ward in South Abingdon, Jason Fiddaman, said he was aware of traffic problems on Preston Road.

Mr Fiddaman, who lives in the road, said: “People park on it who don’t have their own driveways, or if they have visitors.

“I think the chicanes help, and I think speed bumps have also been looked at by the county council.”

He said he did not know Mrs Hagerty personally, but he said: “If some greater good came out of this, that would be a good thing.”

The incident happened when Mrs Hagerty’s bike came into contact with a silver Ford Escort that was turning right out of Preston Road between 9.30am and 10am last Wednesday.

The retired printer’s assistant hit her head on the pavement.

She was taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital and died of her injuries later that day.

Christine Janson, who lives opposite the scene of the accident in Preston Road, said: “I just heard this bang.

“I looked out of the window and she was on the floor, the bike was all buckled, people were gathered around her. It looked as if she was going to cross the road, then the car turned in.”

The following day, friends left bouquets of flowers at the turning.

One included the message: “Dear friend Jan, tragically killed today.

“We will remember you always. Your happy smile will stay in our memories forever.”

An inquest into Mrs Hagerty’s death was formally opened by Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter this week and adjourned until September 10.