LONG-anticipated plans for Oxford’s new Swan School have been lambasted with criticism about its ‘dangerous’ location.

Residents have railed against the proposed site in Marston for the 1,260-pupil free school, currently occupied by the Harlow Centre in Raymund Road.

Three weeks since the River Learning Trust’s planning application went live on Oxford City Council’s website, a stream of responses have warned of ‘intolerable’ traffic chaos.

Though many agreed there is a desperate need for the delayed secondary school, which is due to open in temporary buildings in September 2019, they said it should not be ‘shoe-horned in’ near busy Marston Ferry Road.

Marston city councillor Mick Haines said: "We are already overrun with traffic: we are swamped with cars left right and centre.

"I think they need to go back to the drawing board."

Mr Haines said he acknowledged the need for school places, particularly as his own granddaughter was unsuccessful at getting into oversubscribed Cherwell School nearby.

But he said Marston could not cope with more traffic or pollution, regardless of the Swan School’s plan to open and close later than surrounding schools.

He also raised concerns about potential flood risk.

The Environment Agency has not objected to the plan, however, nor has Historic England or Sport England.

Natural England has objected pending more information, warning of 'potential significant effects on New Marston Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest'.

Old Marston Parish Council unanimously agreed at a meeting on Monday to lodge an objection, which would join those of about 20 residents.

Many raised concerns about the planned access road, which would cut across a busy cycle lane.

Old Marston resident Jane Wilson wrote in response to the plans: “It is plain dangerous.

“Raymund Road becomes a scene of car chaos twice a day, playing dodgems with children in pushchairs, on bikes or scooters or on their feet.”

Also commenting online, Timothy Wilson added: “The intensely-used and precious cycle route would be disastrously compromised and unsafe for cyclists, including hundreds of children going to Cherwell School.

“Traffic through Marston would become intolerable.”

Robert Fletcher wrote in his response: “Trying to shoehorn 1,200 children into the cramped space at the Harlow Centre is in no-one's best interest.

“I have two children currently at St Nicholas' School and am as concerned as any about the availability of places for my children, but…this application is not the right one.”

In another strong-worded objection, Claire Evans wrote: “The surrounding roads will be infested by even larger numbers of reckless drivers desperate to get to work on time.”

Some Marston residents, however, wrote in favour of the school.

Simon Wenham said it would be ‘a great benefit to everyone in the community’.

Laura Epton wrote: “As a member of the Marston community with primary aged children, I support the location.

“The new secondary school will significantly improve the existing community facilities and character of the area.

“I hope opposition to the potential impact on travel won't derail this application.”

The controversial site was decided by the Government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency after a lengthy delay, which pushed the school opening back by two years.

Last year just 62 per cent of Marston children gained their preferred secondary school, compared to 91 per cent countywide.

September 2019 is expected to be crunch time for the school place crisis, with a shortfall if the Swan School does not open in time.

The River Learning Trust’s chief executive Paul James said: "We appreciate people living close to the proposed school have genuine concerns about traffic, but we hope it would actually have relatively little impact on car journeys and congestion.”

He said this was because most students will walk or cycle, and because their day will start and end later.

He added: "Some people say the school should be built at Barton Park, where new homes are being built. But building there would be addressing future need that is uncertain.

“The Swan School is addressing a demand that is with us right now.”

He warned pressure on places will only increase, with an estimated 4,000 more secondary school age children in Oxfordshire in 2019 than in 2017.

Consultation closes on June 15 and plans can be viewed by searching oxford.gov.uk for '18/01173/FUL'.