I HAD occasion recently to walk along Merton Street and I was forcibly struck by the appalling state of repair of the cobbled section up to the corner of Magpie Lane.

There are loose cobblestones just lying in the gutter – presumably ripped out by passing traffic – many areas of crude patching both large and small in tarmac or poorly- matched concrete bedding, uneven levels where utility covers have been inserted and an overall state of surface degradation.

There is admittedly a 20mph speed limit sign on a post at the corner of Magpie Lane but perversely not one at the High Street end where most traffic will enter.

Merton Street is part of Oxford’s priceless heritage, every bit as important as the Bodleian and the Martyrs’ Memorial. And yet in perhaps only a few more years the street will be totally destroyed. At the very least there needs to be an immediate ban on heavy traffic, coupled with a strictly enforced 10mph speed limit.

And if the relevant local authorities cannot agree about who is responsible for providing the necessary funding for repair and refurbishment, are there no other options?

The ‘historic streets’ element of the Heritage Lottery Fund, for example? Or more immediately, perhaps the University and the several colleges that own most, if not all, the frontage property could collectively adopt the road.

Even in straitened times with caps on tuition fees, a modest contribution to meeting academia’s social responsibility to safeguard the essential fabric of the city would not be unreasonable. I imagine the Oxford Preservation Trust would be very happy to provide advice.

GREG BIRDSEYE
Fitzherbert Close
Iffley