Traders in North Oxford are celebrating the completion of a £1m scheme to improve road safety for shoppers in the area.

County council contractors began work in Banbury Road, Summertown, in April, and are due to finish on Tuesday when bands will play carols to celebrate the completion of the scheme.

The revamp includes a pelican crossing near the Dew Drop Inn, new bus lay-bys, road markings and pavements.

Nicholas Hardyman, who runs the community information website www.summertown.info and a business publishing media directories, added: “Everyone is very pleased the scheme is being completed and we hope it will encourage more people to shop in Summertown.

“The new crossing and the 20mph limit makes it a much more pedestrian-friendly environment and traders need all the help they can get at the moment, because some of them are facing quite large rent increases.”

Liberal Democrat city and county councillor Jean Fooks said: “Plans were drawn up to refurbish the shopping centre in Summertown some time ago.

“There was lots of consultation with the traders and residents, exhibitions in Summertown Church Hall and opportunity for comment.

“There had been calls for a new pedestrian crossing in the middle of Banbury Road for years and so this was hugely welcomed when proposed.

“The work has been going on for months now, so everyone will be pleased to see it completed, including a number of residents who were kept awake at night when contract work was being completed.

“The changes should make Summertown a much more attractive destination for shoppers.”

At 4.30pm on Tuesday there will be a choir from Summerfield School, the City of Oxford Silver Band and a string quartet from Cherwell School, performing outside the shops in Banbury Road.

Mulled wine and mince pies will be offered to shoppers.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk