RESIDENTS have said their homes and roads are bearing the brunt of buses being diverted down their streets because of the latest Headington roadworks.

Neighbours of the John Radcliffe Hospital that they have noticed more cracks on roads which they claim ‘weren’t designed to take heavy vehicles’ on such a regular basis.

Double decker busses have been taking a diverted route to use the Saxon Way entrance to the hospital for weeks because of the Access to Headington road improvement works.

Oxford Mail:

One crack in the surface of Saxon Way. Picture: Fran Way

However this weekend that entrance also had to be closed for works to repair cracks in the surface of the road, meaning the buses were diverted along more residential streets.

Oxford University Hospitals trust said its contractors were repairing tarmac and that the majority of the work was completed over the weekend.

However neighbours yesterday said the diverted buses had added pressure to surrounding roads which was resulting in more cracks in the tarmac.

Oxford Mail:

Contractors for the John Radcliffe Hospital at work on Wednesday. Picture: Fran Way

One woman who has lived on Saxon Way since 2000 but asked to remain anonymous said: “The house actually shakes when heavy vehicles go past.

“During the night I can feel it so much more.

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“Me and my husband think the roads were not built for heavy vehicles, which is why you can see sloping and more cracks.”

Georgina Gibbs of Northway Community Association, who lives on Gouldland Gardens which joins Saxon Way, said: “You can feel the vibrations from the unsuitable road when heavy traffic goes down it.

Oxford Mail:

Residents fear cracks and depressions like these could indicate problems beneath the road surface. Picture: Fran Way

“Something needs to be done so that there is minimal damage to the roads.

“The only heavy traffic that should be coming down here is the rubbish bins, now the roads are collapsing.”

Cracks can be spotted along Saxon Way, and residents are concerned that this could be linked to bigger problems beneath the tarmac.

Saxon Way is currently maintained by Oxford City Council as part of a deal with the highways authority Oxfordshire County Council covering minor roads across Oxford.

Oxford Mail:

Another crack in Saxon Way. Picture: Fran Way

However, the county council remains the overall strategic transport authority.

The Oxford Mail yesterday passed on concerns from residents to both authorities.

The third and final stage of the £16m Access to Headington project, initially due to start in January, began in May and runs until February.

The project seeks to improve roads, roundabouts and traffic lights across Headington.

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