AN OXFORD bridge notorious for attracting drug addicts is a step further to being fenced off after years of protests from worried neighbours.

Residents have complained about drug users leaving dirty needles in the area under the Blackbird Leys Road bridge since 2006.

The parish council has now received building quotes of £3,588 and £4,030 to get the area closed off.

PCSOs and street wardens will monitor the situation for the next three months and if there is no improvement the council will fence off the site for good.

Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Gordon Roper said: “I went there with fellow councillor Val Smith a few weeks ago and we could see hardly any needles at all.

“We want to see how many sharps they pick up, and then do the work.”

The area under the bridge is next to Sandy Lane recreation ground, popular with families and children. Mr Roper said: “Going back a few years it was horrendous, but with all the publicity it eased off then came back again.

“We want to make sure the problem is still there – we can’t go spending taxpayers’ money if there’s no problem.”

Drug paraphernalia found in the past included tools for breaking down heroin, needles and cans and bottles used for smoking crack cocaine.

At one point addicts using the den installed a sofa and created a makeshift toilet from sand.

An Oxford City Council spokesman said eight needles were found at the site between January and April this year.

Sgt Rob Axe, of the Blackbird Leys neighbourhood police team, said: “From what residents are telling us, that is still a hotspot at the moment. We want to find out who’s doing it and our resources will be targeted on the bridge to achieve that.”