Oxfordshire petition calls for urgent safety review on A40
The turning, at Barnard Gate, has been the scene of four serious crashes in the past three years while a motorist was killed there in 2012.
Councillor Liam Walker, Oxfordshire County[1] Council’s shadow cabinet member for highway management, has launched a petition calling for the county council to carry out a road safety assessment of both the Barnard Gate junctions on to the A40 and then following this report to make recommendations as to how this junction can urgently be made safe.
Mr Walker said: “The junction has long been a blackspot for accidents, posing significant risks to motorists.
“The frequency of incidents has not only jeopardised public safety but has also led to major disruptions in traffic flow when the junction is closed for accident investigations.”
The petition is supported by local councillors, residents and commuters.
Last week (November 7), a woman in her 40s suffered serious injuries in a crash with a lorry at the junction which Thames Valley Air Ambulance attended.
It was the latest in a long line of crashes at the Barnard Gate turn-off on the route between Witney[2] and Eynsham.
In 2012 Stephen James, aged 47, collided with another car at the site and died as a result of his injuries.
In January 2020 a man was taken to hospital with ‘potentially serious injuries’ following a crash at Barnard Gate involving a car and two vans.
In December 2019 a 19-year-old biker was taken to the JR in Oxford[3] following a crash with a car at the junction.
Another collision took place just two days later.
Concerned councillors hope that the petition will garner widespread support.
In a joint statement, chair of South Leigh Parish Council Nicky Brooks and vice chair Lysette Nicholls said: “After yet another serious accident at this junction we feel it’s vital to have a ‘no right hand turn/no entry sign’ put in place at the South Leigh turn off the A40.
“Apart from the terrible toll these accidents cause to human life the roads of South Leigh are simply not suitable to carry the weight of diverted traffic as they are single track, with right angle turns and no footpaths meaning pedestrians, cyclist and vehicles all have to share the same space.”
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said he would “certainly welcome any review by OCC”.
“The work I am doing currently on my Road Safety Strategy highlights that although the police clearly have an important role in enforcing speeding and driving standards, enforcement cannot be the only solution,” he said.
“Where accident black spots are identified the solution is often an engineering one to make the roads safer and design out the risk.”
However, the county council said it believed its A40 upgrade programme would help to improve the safety of the highway.
Cllr Judy Roberts, cabinet member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Road safety is of top priority for the county council.
“The highway improvements we intend to carry out along the A40 between Witney and Oxford will help to reduce congestion and make walking and cycling safer, in line with the council’s priorities.
“The draft plans include bus lanes and bus priority measures to help make buses, including park and ride, more attractive travel options.”
The council pointed out that construction at Eynsham park and ride is well under way.
To sign the petition, visit www.liam-walker.com/barnard-gate[4].