RESIDENTS on an Oxford street face weeks of disruption after the next phase of a major transport project began with little notice.

Workers descended on Windmill Road on Monday morning for the latest stage of Access to Headington, which could take up to ten weeks.

Several parking bays have been suspended in an area where spaces were at a premium even before the coronavirus pandemic forced many people to stay at home.

Chris Clifford, coordinator of the Windmill Road Residents’ Action Group, fears the work could take its toll on householders.

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“It was like a scene from North Korea – the state arrived to do as it pleases," he said.

“The parking load is larger than ever before, because people are working from home.

“We’ve got a number of elderly residents and people with long-term health conditions dependent on home deliveries.

Oxford Mail:

From left: Windmill Road residents Frank Murray, Adrian Parker and Chris Clifford Picture: Ed Nix

“There’s not even room for a supermarket delivery van.

“You question whether machinery on a residential road is right when people are under amazing stress financially and mental health pressures.

“I don’t know how people are going to cope in the coming weeks.”

Oxford Mail:

Parking is already a problem on a road with 88 permits for 36 spaces, but residents only learned the work would start when a notice was pinned to a lamppost last week,

This was because Oxfordshire County Council has ‘reduced any unnecessary contact to protect operatives and residents’, according to spokesperson Martin Crabtree.

He added that council staff would normally deliver the information door-to-door, but site notices are being put up in the area instead.

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It meant many householders were shocked on Monday when 16 vehicles parked on Windmill Road and temporary traffic lights were placed in front of a private driveway.

Residents were angered further when hydraulic digging started on Tuesday, while a small amount of overnight work could also be required.

The Windmill Road phase of the much-delayed project is set to take eight to ten weeks and will include cycle lanes, improvements to crossings, speed limits, parking changes and associated signing and lining.