Traffic cameras won’t enforce new road ban for A40 motorists

Oxfordshire County Council said drivers have a “legal duty to adhere” to the new rules at Barnard Gate near Witney.

From Monday, June 1, motorists are only allowed to turn left onto the busy A-road after a long running campaign to cut serious crashes at the blackspot.

A spokeswoman for Oxfordshire County Council said: “One of the five principles of Vision Zero is to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our roads by designing and modifying roads to make them safer.

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“This junction has been highlighted as a high risk due to the collision history and the recognised difficulty in safely performing a right hand turn on to the A40, heading west.

“Work begins on Monday, June 1 to install a traffic island and signage at the junction.

“There will also be signage in advance of the junction to notify drivers of the no right turn restriction, so that an alternative route can be taken.

“Motorists have a legal duty to adhere to the rules of the road and many roads and junctions, like this one, do not have cameras to enforce those restrictions.”

A total of £100,000 has been set aside for the project with the scheme to be monitored over an 18-month experimental period.

There will be no ANPR camera (Image: Ed Nix)

Oxfordshire County Council said the funds incorporate the design and implementation of the scheme, plus future monitoring “so that evidence is captured for an informed decision to be made at the end of the experimental period”.

Safety at the junction has been an ongoing priority for councillors with crashes in the area, including one between two cars and a lorry in 2021.

Brize Norton man Stephen James died in 2011 at Barnard Gate when, at twice the drink-drive limit, he hit an oncoming car on the wrong side of the road.

Jeremy Howell was driving towards Witney with his then seven-year-old daughter, Sophia, when Mr James’ car smashed into them.

Exemptions are in place for agricultural vehicles to “ensure they can easily cross” the A40 as well as emergency services vehicles.

Lysette Nicholls and Liam Walker next to the A40 (Image: Liam Walker)

Liam Walker, Oxfordshire Alliance leader of the opposition on the county council, said the new measures will improve safety along the stretch of the A40 between Witney and Eynsham.

A spokesperson for Eynsham Parish Council said: “Drivers should be aware that traffic will not be able to access the westbound A40 at Barnard Gate from June 1.

“This is an experimental traffic regulation order from Oxfordshire County Council and views can be shared online until November.”