Safety cameras are to be installed at a busy Oxford A40 junction later this month in response to concerns about speeding motorists and drivers running red lights.
Oxfordshire County Council will fund the installation and initial maintenance of the cameras at the A40 northern bypass junction with Barton Park, while Thames Valley Police will be responsible for their ownership and operation.
The cameras will monitor vehicles travelling above the 50mph speed limit and detect motorists who fail to stop at red lights in both directions.
The move follows concerns from residents and councillors after several collisions and near-misses were reported since the Barton Park junction opened.
Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said the measures would be welcomed by people who live in and travel through the area.
“Excessive speeds and red-light jumping are genuine concerns at this location, with a video survey showing how widespread the problem is,” he said.
The cameras are being introduced through the council’s Vision Zero programme, which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from road collisions across Oxfordshire by 2050.
Thames Valley Police said the new enforcement measures would act as both a deterrent and a way of holding motorists accountable when offences occur.
Chief Inspector Jade Hewitt, of the force’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Road safety remains a priority for Thames Valley Police, and we welcome the installation of these safety cameras at the Barton Park junction.”
She added that evidence gathered at the location had demonstrated the need for additional enforcement and that speeding remained one of the main factors contributing to serious and fatal collisions.
The camera poles will be painted bright yellow to improve visibility for drivers, with advance warning signs approved by Thames Valley Police.
Installation work is scheduled to begin overnight from Monday 20 July, with works expected to take place between 8.00pm and 6.00am for up to four nights.
Temporary traffic management will be introduced during the works, including lane closures where required. The eastbound left turn into Barton Park will be closed at times, with traffic diverted via Headington roundabout.
Residents have also been warned that some excavation work may be noisy due to the need to work around underground gas and electricity utilities.
The cameras follow other recent road safety improvements in the area, including flashing amber warning signs installed near Barton Park Primary School to alert drivers when children are likely to be crossing the road.
