Residents across Old Marston are worried that construction lorries going to the site in Old Marston are speeding through the village and posing a threat to other road users and pedestrians.
Local people and elected representatives are particularly cross that the Construction Management Plan is being ignored and the developers Bellway Homes seem reluctant to enforce the conditions.
Mary Clarkson, City Councillor for Marston, said: “One of the conditions was that residents were to receive details of the construction in advance of the work starting. But they were told nothing. Cllr Mark Lygo and I were told nothing. The first thing we saw was construction lorries speeding past residents’ homes, ignoring the 10mph speed limit for lorries and the ban on construction traffic before 9:30am.”
Oxford City Council are now looking into enforcement issues. But residents still have safety concerns, particularly given that schools return next week and many students will be cycling and walking through Old Marston.
Anneliese Dodds, Member of Parliament for Oxford East, said: “This situation could have been avoided. If Oxfordshire County Council had allowed the Hill View Farm development to be connected with the A40 ring road, this would have cut the traffic going through the village. We desperately need more housing across Oxford, and the extra 63 social homes that this development will provide are very welcome. But it is frustrating that building them has been made so much harder for everyone involved.”
Charlotte Vinnicombe, Old Marston Parish Councillor and Oxford Road resident, added: “It is a shame that Bellway Homes are unable to send a representative to one of our meetings before October. This means that over two months into the work, residents will still have had no direct communication from Bellway Homes. We will keep pushing for the developers to listen to our community, and to stick to the Construction Management Plan they have agreed with Oxford City Council.”
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Notes to Editors:
Cllr Mary Clarkson is available for interview: contact cllrmclarkson@oxford.gov.uk
The Hill View Farm development will consist of 159 new homes, located between Mill Lane and the A40 ring road. Over 50% of these homes will be affordable, including 63 social homes and 16 shared ownership homes.
The Construction Management Plan can be viewed at https://public.oxford.gov.uk/online-applications/files/AA0C6743F9EA6D4CF47E494EB64B1FAD/pdf/20_03034_CND16-CONSTRUCTION_TRAFFIC_MANAGEMENT_PLAN_-_1_OF_2-3387980.pdf