Traffic congestion in Bicester, UK, caused by roadworks, is impacting the local businesses and creating a hazard for pedestrians. – Vintage Photograph

On October 4, 1989, Mr James Dale, owner of the Brize Norton Stores and Post Office, complained that roadworks near his shop were reducing his daily trade by a third. Located on a busy road with over 9,000 vehicles passing every day, the disruption caused by the construction of a nearby footpath has been a source of frustration for both Dale and the local community. Oxfordshire County Council contractors are expected to finish the job within six weeks, but in the meantime, the closure of Field Street to south-bound traffic has led to a higher than usual number of vehicles travelling through North Street and St John Street, creating a hazard for pedestrians. Shopkeeper Mr Paul Maden, who runs a mini-market in North Street, believes the situation could be improved if temporary traffic lights were installed.On October 4, 1989, Mr James Dale, owner of the Brize Norton Stores and Post Office, complained that roadworks near his shop were reducing his daily trade by a third. Located on a busy road with over 9,000 vehicles passing every day, the disruption caused by the construction of a nearby footpath has been a source of frustration for both Dale and the local community. Oxfordshire County Council contractors are expected to finish the job within six weeks, but in the meantime, the closure of Field Street to south-bound traffic has led to a higher than usual number of vehicles travelling through North Street and St John Street, creating a hazard for pedestrians. Shopkeeper Mr Paul Maden, who runs a mini-market in North Street, believes the situation could be improved if temporary traffic lights were installed.

Dimensions: 23.7 x 23.7 cm

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United Carriers FREEPHONE 0800 62691 Z Walls OPER Walls Ice Cream Ime Read Gamin

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4 OCT 1989 Roadworks ‘bad for business’ By JACKIE DAY A VILLAGE shopkeeper claims he is losing a third of his trade because of roadworks. Mr James Dale, owner of the Brize Norton Stores and Post Office, says the distruption is threatening his business. Oxfordshire County Council is building a footpath nearby along Manor Road where temporary traffic lights have been installed. “This is a tremendously busy road taking over 9,000 vehicles a day and these works are causing absolute chaos,” said Mr Dale. “I rely a lot on passing trade and my custom is down by a third. I am losing up to 40 customers a day which I can ill afford to do.” He complains that, with only two men working on the job, it is taking far longer than it needs to. “The whole village is fed-up with the disruption, danger and traffic delays. Half the time you look out and no work is being done anyway”. Mr Alan Webster, engineer for the county council’s surveyors department, said the contractors were on target to complete the job within the six-week time- scale. “It is a very difficult job because of the hugh amount of traffic passing through,” he said. DIVERTED traffic using North Street in Bicester is making life hazadous for pedestrians, it is claimed. More vehicles have been forced to use the town’s North Street and St John Street since the closure of Field Street to south bound traffic, to allow roadworks to go ahead. Casers Mr Paul Madan, who runs the Mini Market stores and newsagents in North Street, believes that tem- porary traffic lights should be in- stalled SO that local people, (1 PHONE 14 OCT 1989 Looking for business… Mr Dale outside his shop Diverted traffic ‘creating a hazard’ Mr Maden reckons that traffic in North Street is now two-thirds above its normal level. especially youngsters and the elderly, can cross the road in safety. Other- wise, he fears, someone could be hurt in an accident. bre Heavy Mr Maden said: “Since Field Street was closed to traffic for road- works, life in North Street has been terrible. It’s just chaos. “We get all sorts of heavy vehicles coming down the street throughout the day, and some of them mount the kerb, particularly at peak hours.” Walls The extra traffic has reduced trade at his shop, he said. Mr Keith Robins, of Graham Road, Bicester, a customer at the shop, said: “Crossing the road is now pretty impossible except on a very, very rare occasion. You take your life in your hands at the mini- roundabout at the top of North Street. Field Street is expected to be closed to southbound traffic for an- other four to five weeks. Problem The area engineer for Oxfordshire highways, Mr John Jacobs, said: “It’s accepted that there is a prob- lem with traffic flow in peak periods. It would not be practical to install temporary traffic lights, as these would have to be hand-controlled by pedestrians, and would detract from the smooth flow of trunk road traf- fic.”