THAMES Valley Police are planning to put up a new three-storey office block for 180 workers at its Kidlington headquarters, adding to traffic on Oxford Road.

The building, which will replace one demolished two years ago, will let the force save money by relocating staff from other rented buildings across the county.

Head of corporate support Nick Harverson said the new building would cause more traffic on Oxford Road and Cromwell Road, but efforts would be made to minimise the effect on neighbours.

He said: “This will increase the number of cars coming into the site quite considerably, and how we deal with parking and traffic will be a key component of the planning application.

“I’m sure there will be concerns about more traffic going through the site, and we will have to satisfy the planners on that.

“We want to be good neighbours and will try to allay people’s fears as much as we can.”

The police have discussed the upcoming application with Gosford and Water Eaton Parish Council and sent letters to 350 nearby homes.

Parish council clerk Carl Smith said there were mixed reports in the neighbourhood about problems caused by police workers or visitors to the headquarters parking on nearby streets.

He said: “We sympathise with the police, which are obviously trying to do things centrally to save money, which they would make building this block.

“On the other hand, we sympathise with residents who may have parking problems, but the people are trying their level best to address those.”

A planning application is set to be submitted to Cherwell District Council, which will have the final say on the plans, in the autumn.