A SERIES of public exhibitions about how junctions in Headington are to be overhauled will take place from this weekend.

The £12.5m “Access to Headington” scheme has been proposed by Oxfordshire County Council to reduce congestion and make it easier to reach sites such as the John Radcliffe Hospital.

The local authority will display its latest version of the plans from tomorrow to March 5 in venues around the area.

Junctions set to be changed include Cherwell Drive; the JR entrance in Headley Way; Headley Way and London Road; London Road and Windmill Road; Windmill Road and Old Road; Gipsy Lane and Old Road; Churchill Drive and Old Road; and The Slade and Horspath Driftway.

Mike Ratcliffe from the Highfields Association said he hoped bosses would take residents’ comments on board.

He said: “The people behind Access to Headington dealing with traffic should talk to the people who live and work in this area because we know the pattern of the roads and know how they change throughout the day.

“So I hope they will listen to us during the consultation period, although I am sceptical about that.

“Having only looked at the plans online, I’m quite concerned about the retention of green spaces because the plan seems to involve digging up green verges.

“I’m concerned about how they will handle the work surrounding the entrance to the John Radcliffe.

“What’s more, they need to be thinking about how they are going to co-ordinate this with the hospital heating pipe.”

City councillor for the area, Ruth Wilkinson, said she was pleased with the overall plans but concerned about the impact the project would have on parking.

She said: “I’m delighted to see plans for a new pedestrian crossing across London Road and that all trees will be replaced.

“But I’m concerned the project will mean losing a great deal of parking for people in places like Windmill Road and Headley Way.

“I know some residents are even considering concreting up their gardens so they can park, which would be a real worry,” she added.

The exhibitions take place from 10am to 4pm tomorrow at St Anthony of Padua, in Headley Way; from 2pm to 8pm on Wednesday at Wood Farm School, in Titup Hall Drive; from 11am to 6pm on March 3 at Old Road Campus Research Building; and from 10am to 4pm on March 5 at St Andrew’s Primary School, in London Road.

County council cabinet member for environment David Nimmo Smith said: “I would urge anyone who lives or works in the Headington area to come along to one of the exhibitions to find out the latest information.”