RESIDENTS in Headington say a busy bus gate has become a “dangerous” spot for shoppers.

The gate at the junction of London Road and Osler Road was created when the road was revamped last year.

During the months of roadworks, a temporary crossing was built for pedestrians, but although that has long gone, people are still choosing to cross there.

Headington city councillor Ruth Wilkinson said: “It’s a natural crossing point for people headed for the JR, the Manor Road GP surgery, the dentist, the optician and a nursery, as well as Cafe Noir, the picture framing shop, a sun tanning salon and a Subway.”

The gate changes the traffic lights to green when buses approach, speeding up their journey.

A replacement pedestrian crossing has been installed farther down London Road, on the site of the old subway.

Mrs Wilkinson said: “When we carried out a door-to-door survey in our ward of where people wanted pedestrian crossings, this crossing point got more support than the one proposed to replace the subway outside Holland and Barrett.

“This is a really busy junction used by buses, cars and emergency vehicles, as well as those exiting from the Manor Hospital via Osler Road and local residents.”

She added: “The planners don’t seem to understand that people need to cross there and will continue to cross there.

“Their job surely is to make sure this junction is safer for everyone.”

Osler Road resident David Emeny, 63, added: “It’s a joke, that bus gate. It’s dangerous.

“I’m surprised there hasn’t been any accidents there but there have been a lot of near misses.”

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said: “There have been no reported accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists at or near the bus gate in question since it was installed.”