OXFORDSHIRE’S traffic chief is set to meet with the people of Risinghurst after the closure of an access point into the estate.

The access gap in the central reservation of the A40 at the junction with Collinwood Road has been closed since May.

Oxfordshire County Council made the decision for safety reasons, but there have since been concerns raised by locals, including businesses who claim takings are down.

Now Rodney Rose, the county council’s cabinet member for transport, will meet them next month to discuss the issue.

The meeting is set to take place on Tuesday, July 17, at the Collinwood Road United Reformed Church. A time has yet to be finalised.

Barton resident Terry Roper said: “We are hoping to get as many people as possible.

“It is a step in the right direction.

“I cross that road every day and the best solution would be to have traffic lights there.”

Some businesses in Risinghurst have reported a drop in their takings which they put down to the fact that people are struggling to get into the Risinghurst estate.

County councillor Roz Smith said: “I am delighted that Rodney Rose has agreed to come and meet us, but it is a shame it couldn’t happen before the gap was blocked.

“The changes are putting more traffic on to the Green Road roundabout and I have been contacted by residents in Quarry saying they have experienced more traffic coming down their roads.”

In the past five years there have been five serious and three slight injury accidents involving vehicles turning right from the A40 into Collinwood Road.

As a solution, the county council applied for a traffic order to block off the junction for up to 18 months.

It has since said that the experimental closure could be dropped at any point.

Mr Rose said: “The trial closure was requested by the local county councillor in response to accidents resulting from traffic crossing over through the gap.

“I agreed to the trial after support was received from the parish council.

“Access is still available to businesses.

“Installing traffic lights wasn’t an option and there isn’t funding available.”