Deer Park Road Roundabout Crossing, Witney

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Councillor Ian Hudspeth

We call for a new signalled pedestrian crossing near the roundabout on Deer Park Road, Witney. The roundabout joins four very fast roads, where traffic is often travelling at speed. It makes it very difficult to cross here. Imagine crossing here in a wheelchair; or as a parent pushing a buggy.

The roads that join this roundabout are 'flared', (as shown on the left in the illustration below) which allows traffic to enter and exit at high speed. A ‘compact’ roundabout (as shown on the right in the illustration below) would be more appropriate here, which forces drivers to slow down. But since we are stuck with a high-speed roundabout, then we should at least have a signalled crossing.

Pedestrians are often left 'stranded' on the traffic island while they wait for a gap in the traffic. With the new housing developments (Windrush Place and Spring Meadow) nearby, there are many more pedestrians wishing to cross over this road to get to the local amenities in Deer Park; and it's only going to get busier as the development grows.

We believe all four roads need traffic calming measures, combined with a pedestrian crossing on Deer Park Road near the roundabout. There is a pedestrian crossing further up Deer Park Road, but unfortunately, there is no pavement on the South-West side, between the roundabout and Range Road, which makes it difficult to push a pushchair or wheelchair up to that crossing. Also, pedestrians would still need to cross over Range Road to get to it.

The existing crossing on Thorney Leys (while appreciated) does not help the residents of Windrush Place and Spring Meadow, since they would need to cross over Curbridge Road to access it; and then cross back over Curbridge Road again on the other side of the roundabout if they wanted to visit the Deer Park amenities.


Let's support active travel, and enable our residents on Windrush Place and Spring Meadow to access local amenities, bus stops and the town centre safely on the other side of the roundabout. Please sign and share our petition!

To: Councillor Yvonne Constance, Councillor Ian Hudspeth
From: [Your Name]

Dear Councillors Constance and Hudspeth,

During the consultation for the new Puffin Crossing on Thorney Leys, it was noted that a signalled crossing on Deer Park Road would benefit the residents on Windrush Place and Spring Meadow.

In a document entitled 'CMDE_SEP0717R05 - Witney Thorney leys Puffin X.pdf' published by Oxfordshire County Council, one paragraph reads:

… on the need for a signalled crossing on Deer Park Road near the roundabout to improve the safety and amenity of pedestrians and cyclists crossing here is noted. It is agreed that such provision would be helpful, noting the current crossing demand here, but the source of the funding for the proposed crossing (Richmond Village) could not be used for a crossing. However it is agreed that this matter should be reviewed in the context of further development in the area …

Now is the time to review this matter. If funding to dual the A40 can be found, surely it's time to fund Active Travel too. Thank you for considering our request.

Yours sincerely,

Residents of Windrush Place, Spring Meadow,
and supporters of 'The Deer Park Road Roundabout Crossing Group'.