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New layout must be scrapped

From the archive, first published Monday 6th Dec 2004.

Sir -- Yet again in the morning and evening, traffic was gridlocked on the A40 from Headington roundabout in Oxford as far as Wheatley and the Marston turnoff, all because of the new layout for traffic in London Road, Headington.

Surrounding roads are impassable as well.

It is a complete nightmare.

Ever since these improvements were made a few weeks ago, the traffic has been bought to a halt at peak periods.

Sooner or later, it is inevitable someone will die in an ambulance unable to get through to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

I spoke to the traffic engineer in charge of the scheme a few days ago.

He said that the county council was not sure before the work started that it would be effective, and admitted that there had been numerous complaints.

It is amazing that the council persisted in the work.

It was obvious to road users from the first day it was going to be a disaster.

If the council was not sure it was a good idea, why do it in the first place?

They should admit they were wrong, and put the traffic lanes in London Road back to their previous positions.

JERRY BLOOMFIELD

Pound Lane

Stanton St John

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