WE HAVE asked Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) to install a crossing on Morrell Avenue for the last 10 years, and four years ago I submitted a petition signed by 400 people which stated that a crossing was needed on Morrell Avenue.

There are 280 houses on this road with very heavy traffic coming from Headington and Cowley Road.

There is also a steep hill coming down with cyclists, taxis, cars, lorries and bikes travelling very fast and, with a secondary school, primary school, nursery, youth centre and children’s centre.

It is dangerous for parents, children and elderly to cross this road.

Residents do shopping at Union Street supermarket and carry bulky bags and that is why the bus stop has a shelter.

Morrell Avenue has so many trees and the road is more dangerous because of shadows cast by these trees.

This makes it harder for drivers to see people trying to cross and makes it even more necessary to get a crossing for residents.

This road has been a busy road, in the police’s view, and they are concerned by the amount of traffic on this road and surrounding roads, Divinity Road and Southfield Road as well as Princess Street.

They have become rat runs in this area.

The answer from OCC is that there is no funding available and they are looking for developer’s funding.

They have also asked officers to look at whether any low-cost measures can be introduced to make drivers more aware of the speed limit and also to discuss with Thames Valley Police whether additional enforcement can be undertaken, particularly at times when children are crossing to/from school.

But there have been no reported pedestrian accidents on Morrell Avenue since 2012.

JAMILA AZAD

County Councillor for St Clement’s & Cowley Marsh and city councillor for St Clement’s