TRAFFIC in Marston cannot cope with the pressure of a major new development that could be approved tonight, a councillor is warning.

Mick Haines, who is due to speak at an Oxford City Council’s meeting on the Barton Area Action plan, has carried out surveys on traffic in Oxford Road through Marston village and Marsh Lane he says proves the area is gridlocked as it is.

He also believes the problems of flooding in the Marston area could also be exacerbated by the development on a flood plain.

Mr Haines said: “With the extra 900 houses going up at the Barton estate, it is scandalous. It floods badly on the Ferry Road, Edgeway Road and Elsfield Road.

“We need extra housing in Oxford but before the housing gets started the infrastructure needs to be looked at and put in place. It all comes downhill and we are the ones at the bottom of it all.”

A petition demanding a stronger infrastucture to tackle flooding and sewage in the area before the development is built has so far gathered more than 800 signatures.

A number of residents in the area have also complained about the impact of traffic on their properties, with reports of cracks in their walls.

Susan Jarrett, from Cherwell Drive, is one of those worried about the amount of traffic coming through Marston.

Mrs Jarrett, 62, said: “I agree that the traffic is absolutely awful. You can’t get out of the house or the drive sometimes. A lot of that is to do with the hospital.

“If the traffic increases it has at some point got to do some structural damage.”

Mr Haines said this was backed up by figures his study in Oxford Road on Tuesday, December 4. He said it was used by 657 vehicles between 7.45am and 9.45am.

A similar study on Monday, December 10, saw 740 vehicles between 8.15am and 10am.

In Marsh Lane, there were 844 vehicles passing through between 8.30am and 10am on Wednesday, December 5. And 1,120 vehicles went through the area between 8am and 10.05am on Wednesday, December 12.

If the proposal to build the new homes in Barton goes ahead this is only likely to get worse, he said.

Proposals for the development on a 36-hectare site north of the A40 at Barton will be discussed by city councillors tonight.

The head of city development will present a report proposing the adoption of the Barton Area Action Plan.

The blueprint for up to 900 homes at Barton West has already won the approval of planning inspector Dr Shelagh Bussey.

If the plan is approved by the full council, an outline planning application will be submitted in the spring.