Memorial plans for roundabout (From Oxford Mail)

Memorial plans for roundabout

7:00am Friday 4th November 2011 in News By Rhianne Pope

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a memorial to be put on a roundabout outside the John Radcliffe Hospital to commemorate fallen servicemen and women.

For the past three years, repatriations from RAF Lyneham and Brize Norton have made their way through the area en route to the John Radcliffe Hospital ahead of post-mortem examinations.

Each time, hundreds of residents and former servicemen have lined Headley Way as the cortege of fallen soldiers drives past.

City councillor for Headington Hill and Northway Altaf Khan now wants to mark the significance of the road.

He said: “At this time of year everyone is thinking about the Poppy Appeal. In Headington there have been repatriations coming down Headley Way for years.

“I have talked to a lot of people who have said they’d like to see something on the roundabout into the John Radcliffe to mark that. Anyone driving past would know the importance of this bit of road.”

Mr Khan said suggestions from the public included planting poppies or painting the roundabout.

He said: “It wouldn’t cost a huge amount but would show how much the repatriations are appreciated.

“And all those family and friends of people who have to drive past here would know their loved one will be remembered. It is especially important as we approach Remembrance Day.”

Earlier this year, Headington residents suggested renaming the road leading up to the John Radcliffe ‘Heroes’ Way’.

The move was supported by the Oxfordshire branch of the Royal British Legion, but the plans have yet to come to fruition.

Headington city councillor Ruth Wilkinson said: “I’m behind these plans for the roundabout.

“I think now the hospitals are being renamed, a lot of people would quite like the name ‘Radcliffe’ somewhere in the road name instead.

“But the roundabout could be a good way to solve those problems.”

Royal British Legion chairman Jim Lewendon said: “I’m not sure what they could on that roundabout. It’s a very busy stretch of road.

“A lot of cars and ambulances go through there every hour, so anything would have to be ok with the hospital first.”