Police are calling for an end to the closure of Magdalen Bridge which prevents hundreds of people from East Oxford enjoying the city’s historic May Morning celebrations.

The bridge has been barricaded on May Morning for the last four years – after more than 100 people jumped into the River Cherwell in 2005. Forty of the jumpers were injured.

The 25ft high bridge has since been cordoned off for three hours on May 1 and guarded by up to 40 police and 30 security guards.

Every year dozens of people still jump into the shallow river minutes after the barricades are removed, although there have been no more serious injuries.

Steve Rowell, assistant chief constable for local policing, said: “We accept and share the thoughts of a number of people who want to see Magdalen Bridge open during the May Morning celebrations.

“In the longer term, we would dearly love to see the bridge open and sympathise with the views of local people.

“But clearly we have to work with other local agencies and get a collective view, rather than acting independently.”

Mr Rowell, who is in charge of policing the event on the day, added: “I can understand that people feel cut off, particularly in the eastern part of the city if the road is closed.

“It inhibits their enjoyment of the event.”

A safety advisory group set up after the injuries in 2005 chose to close the bridge until 2011.

The group includes representatives from Thames Valley Police, the city and county councils and South Central Ambulance Service.

Author Ted Dewan, who lives in Summertown, is one of the 8,000-strong crowd who turn up annually to listen to choristers sing Hymnus Eucharisticus from Magdalen College’s tower.

He said: “We’ve got this great feast day in Oxford but the atmosphere feels prohibitionist.”

Iffley Fields councillor Elise Benjamin added: “A lot of longstanding residents take time out for May Morning, but now we feel a lot like there’s a party going on but we’re not invited.”

Magdalen Bridge is set to be closed from 4.30am to 7.30am for vehicles and from 5.30am to 6.30am for pedestrians.

Oxfordshire County Council leader Keith Mitchell said: “The bridge closure was something several organisations originally implemented after the dreadful events of May Morning 2005.

“However Thames Valley Police now evidently have some fresh thinking.

“I’m sure we’ll work in an open-minded and collaborative way with the police and Oxford City Council and others to see what can be done on May Mornings in future years.”

No one was available to comment at Oxford City Council or South Central Ambulance Service.