MOST nine-year-olds are more interested in football, books or video games than getting involved in local politics.

But when Giulio Taggart heard plans for a Tesco Express store in Old Marston Road could lead to an increase in traffic he decided to petition Tesco and Oxford City Council for a safe crossing.

The St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School pupil has sent a petition to the council and the troubled supermarket over the plans, which some residents say would lead to dangerous levels of traffic.

Giulio, who lives in nearby Marston Road, said: “I have started this petition because my brother Luca has to cross the road every day to get to school at Cherwell.

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“If there is more traffic he might have an accident.

“I got quite a lot of people from my street to sign it.”

Giulio said he is still waiting for a response from the city council and from Tesco.

Marston councillor Mick Haines said he supported the petition.

He said: “I think it is brilliant to see him out campaigning.

“I really enjoyed standing with him for the photo to help support his campaign and I back him 100 per cent.”

A spokesman for Tesco said: “We would not look to open a store unless we knew we could do so safely.

“We are really excited about the chance to serve the local community and we’ll be sure to keep local people updated as our plans progress.”

Cllr Haines said: “The level of traffic is severe at the best of times so if the Tesco shop went in it would cause chaos.

“I have been fighting against Tesco there for many years and I stopped them from getting the trees outside removed.

“I think the answer is to upgrade the crossing that is already there and see if we can get a proper crossing put in like a zebra crossing or traffic lights.”

Giulio said: “I am a bit of a community activist but I haven’t thought about what I will do next.”

 

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