A PETITION has been launched against plans designed to solve congestion in Headington after fears were raised in one street that it will become overwhelmed with traffic.

The county council’s proposal, part of its £12.5 million Access to Headington scheme, would see the removal of trees, grass verges and about 32 residents-only parking bays in Cherwell Drive.

A new bus and cycle lane has also been proposed in the street, which is set to be widened too.

The plans are out for consultation until August 7 and work could start as early as the summer of 2016, but residents have signed a petition against the scheme.

Veronica Savage, who has lived in Cherwell Drive since 1964, said she was concerned about the risk of more traffic driving down the street.

She added: “At the moment our house shakes every time a lorry or a bus goes past. We have cracks in the roof and it’s all caused by the vibrations coming from the traffic.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous. There will be more traffic coming down causing vibrations, which will shake the house even more. I’m worried my house could subside. I don’t want these plans to go ahead.”

Ms Savage also had concerns about more traffic along Cherwell Drive once the Barton Park Estate was built, which would see up to 885 homes constructed between Barton and Northway.

She claimed there were 11 big vehicles in one hour that shook her house and she urged the council to reduce the speed limit to 20mph and enforce a vehicle-weight restriction on the road.

Ms Savage added: “It’s terrible. We are pensioners and can’t afford to move. This problem has been persistent the last two years and I fear it will only get worse.”

Independent councillor Mick Haines has 152 signatures against the scheme and shared the concerns of residents.

He added: “One issue is that they [the council] will remove the trees down there and secondly, it’s only a short bus so I don’t think it’s worth them changing that.

“They are taking out the parking as well, and replacing grass verges with cycle lanes.

“I do not see the point in the bus lane on that short distance. The changes would attract more traffic to the area and there are already issues with vibrations cracking walls and homes.”

The project will cover the B4495 from Cherwell Drive/Marsh Lane to Horspath Driftway and the Eastern Bypass, as well as Old Road, Windmill Road and Headley Way.

Oxford City councillor Roz Smith previously told the Oxford Mail that the plans were “drastic” and Councillor Ruth Wilkinson added that roadworks in Headington had become a “part of life”.

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith said: “It is a consultation period, so if people have concerns I encourage them to give feedback during this stage. These proposals are only suggestions and ideas. The plans are not set in stone. We will take into account the feedback given during the consultation period.”