Latest crash sparks calls for urgent fix at A40 junction
The latest in a long line of crashes happened on Friday (July 19) at the Barnard Gate turn-off of the A40 on the busy route between Witney[1] and Eynsham, causing the road to be closed in both directions for three hours.
New signs have only recently been put in place by Oxfordshire County[2] Council following improvement works after a public petition and council motion from county councillor Liam Walker.
Mr Walker, who is shadow cabinet member for highways, said: “It’s both sad and frustrating that another collision has taken place at Barnard Gate resulting in the A40 being closed.
"Whilst I welcome the new warning signs that are now in place the county council really needs to act to do more as doing nothing is no longer an option.
"I have met with highway officers to discuss measures to make the junction on both sides of the A40 left turn only, and I hope the necessary funding can now be secured to get this in place as soon as possible.
"I hope those involved in the collision are OK and nothing more serious has happened.”
In November last year a woman in her 40s suffered serious injuries in a crash with a lorry at the junction which Thames Valley Air Ambulance attended.
In 2012 Stephen James, aged 47, collided with another car at the site and died as a result of his injuries.
In January 2020 a man was taken to hospital with 'potentially serious injuries' following a crash at Barnard Gate involving a car and two vans.
In December 2019 a 19-year-old biker was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford[3] following a crash with a car at the junction.
Another collision took place just two days later.
Mr Walker said he was pleased concerns were being listened to and his council motion at West Oxfordshire District Council was supported by all members.
But, he said, "this is just the start as far more needs to be done".
Chair of South Leigh Parish Council, Lysette Nicholls said: “We feel it’s vital to have a ‘no right-hand turn/no entry sign’ put in place at the South Leigh turn off the A40.
"Apart from the terrible toll these accidents cause to human life the roads of South Leigh are simply not suitable to carry the weight of diverted traffic as they are single track, with right angle turns and no footpaths meaning pedestrians, cyclist and vehicles all have to share the same space."
After a motion from Cllr Walker was supported at West Oxfordshire District Council, he called on the council leader Andy Graham to write to Andrew Gant, cabinet member for highways at the county council.
In a written response Mr Gant confirmed the council would now carry out a road safety review of the junction.
He said: “Having discussed with officers, I can confirm that we will include consideration of this junction within our Vision Zero work and associated capital programme as appropriate.
"In addition, in terms of the specific requests, I can confirm that we will carry out a safety assessment of the junction to help inform any short or longer-term action that may be deemed beneficial or necessary.”