CAMPAIGNERS stepped up their fight against a proposed new road across the Eastern Bypass yesterday as they delivered a petition to the Town Hall.

Northway Residents’ Group and backers in Marston and Headington have collected 1,800 signatures against Oxford City Council plans to link Northway with the proposed Barton West development by building a new link road for buses and emergency services across the A40.

People on the estate say the new road will destroy green space used by residents for six years.

New maps for the proposed development now show for the first time that buses will also be able to drive off the ring road and into the Northway estate.

Residents’ group secretary Sheila Hessey, pictured second left, 76, said: “Of all the times I knocked on people’s doors asking for their signature, just one or two per cent refused.

“Ninety eight per cent of people were delighted to sign. There is very strong feeling.”

The size of the petition will now trigger a debate at the Town Hall about the plans.

In the New Year, residents hope to apply for ‘town green’ status for the 4.5-acre strip of land along Foxwell Drive, protecting it from development.

Also pictured, left to right, Mick Haines, Georgina Gibbs, Jane Cox, Nick Fell and Lord of Oxford Mayor Elise Benjamin.