A “RAT RUN” road needs to be tackled after two pet cats were killed in two days with fears a child could be next, campaigners said.

In an urgent appeal to transport bosses, 46 people living near Wolvercote Green signed a petition saying children were at risk of serious accidents.

They have called for speed bumps to be put in place along the road, or speed-activated signs.

At a meeting of Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet last week, resident Harriet Milles told senior councillors there were two playgroups, a primary school and a playground close to the road.

Mrs Milles, who has lived in Wolvercote Green since 1997, said: “Our greatest fear now is that one day soon there will be an even worse tragedy that involves a young child.

“Currently we have no speed restriction signage or traffic calming measures.”

Cat Harry, belonging to Sam Barnish of Dove House Close, was killed on Monday and the next day Bear, owned by Dianna Goddard of Wolvercote Green, was so badly injured by a collision that he had to be put down, Mrs Milles said.

She claimed drivers were using the roads as a “rat run” to Woodstock Road.

She said: “This is a residential road, with parked cars along its length, but there is an unusually high concentration of child-centred facilities in close proximity.

“Every term morning, it is full of very young people and their parents, but the school run coincides with a surge in traffic.”

Residents have said there are two blind spots, one on the tight bend near the Plough Pub and another at the junction of Church Lane and Osborne Close.

In their appeal to the county council, they said both were crossed regularly by young children.

County council cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith said the authority was cash-strapped but could look at installing new signs along the road.

He said: “We would like to extend Oxford’s 20mph zone where possible.

“We are limited in what we can do and what we do put in has to be respected by local people.

“Our response could include road humps, but I think at the very least it would involve putting more signs in. But at this stage we will look at it and investigate further.”