Concern has been raised over pedestrians crossing a busy road to visit Jeremy Clarkson’s new pub.
Mr Clarkson, who has previously found himself embroiled in a row over traffic 'chaos' at Diddly Squat Farm Shop, has leased a field opposite the Farmer’s Dog in Asthall, near Burford, for overflow parking.
However, one local said they had already witnessed several near misses with fans crossing the road.
Dr Lotte Hughes, from Asthall, said: "From observation, there's an accident waiting to happen at the junction between the lane where Mr Clarkson's pub is, and the Old Burford Road.
READ MORE: Developers propose 400 new houses almost next to village
"I've stood on the left-hand roadside and witnessed several near accidents.
"As a driver, I've also experienced a near accident myself at this spot. And this just in the first week of the pub's opening."
She added: "There is also a major issue with pedestrians wandering slowly across the road from the overspill car park to the pub.
"People who don't live in the area have no idea how dangerous and fast this road is.
"Hopefully the overspill car park will close at the end of 28 days, after which time Mr Clarkson would have to apply for permissions."
Hundreds of fans queued for hours to get inside the pub when it officially opened on August 23.
Mr Clarkson said afterwards the predicted traffic issues from the busy adjacent A40 had not arisen at the opening after working closely with Oxfordshire County Council.
Footway improvements were made between bus stops on the B4047 and the site, drivers were deterred from parking on the roads or verges nearby at any time and the layby opposite the pub was temporarily closed to prevent people crossing the A40 on foot.
Signage was also installed to discourage traffic from travelling through the narrow single-track roads of nearby Asthall and Swinbrook.
However, Brize Norton and Shilton councillor Rosie Pearson, who lives in Asthall, said: "This is complicated.
READ MORE: Upmarket B&B goes viral with hilarious Tiktok
"It is better than it could have been, thanks to a lot of effort from Oxfordshire County Council and the traffic management team hired by the pub.
"But no issues? No, that would not be accurate.
"Some of the measures taken by OCC are temporary, and it is not clear how the traffic will be handled in the longer term."
Dr Hughes said she hoped the pub would be "a novelty flash in the pan".
She said: "Come the end of summer, the start of school and the arrival of dark evenings, people who've driven a long way for this 'experience' will not be inclined to make a return visit.
"I don't wish ill of any new enterprise, but there is a huge difference between the opening of a new pub and the opening of a celebrity pub, especially in a rural area."
Oxfordshire County Council has said parking is being monitored and controls may be imposed in the future. Consideration is being given to reducing the speed limit from 60mph, to 40mph on each of the approaches to the A40 roundabout, including the B4047.
It is not currently considering a pedestrian crossing.
According to local councillors, the idea of a park and ride at Minster Lovell has also been mooted.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel