TWO controversial pedestrian crossings in Abingdon were given the go-ahead yesterday.

Oxfordshire County Council agreed to create the two crossings in Ock Street and Marcham Road.

The Ock Street crossing would go east of Drayton Road and Marcham Road’s current crossing would be moved further west, to the west of Drayton Road.

But there were concerns school children would not use the new crossings and traffic would increase.

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The crossings were made a requirement last year because of plans to develop a new 160-home estate on land off Drayton Road.

They were rejected by the council in March and developer Taylor Wimpey won a legal challenge on the basis that the council failed to explain its decision.

Councillors and residents addressed cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith at County Hall in Oxford.

A report from deputy director for environment and economy Mark Kemp said the Ock Street crossing will “provide an additional safe crossing point”.

Mr Nimmo Smith told the meeting: “I have read the reports and the proposals reported and I find them thorough and by and large sound. I’m persuaded enough by the information by the developers.”

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