A PLEA for safer crossings has come from parents and residents of a Bicester estate that says it is 'cut off from the town'.

Families in Kingsmere have called for better safety measures to improve pedestrian crossings along the Middleton Stoney Road which runs between the estate and town centre.

At a meeting staged by St Edburg's Primary School headteacher Margaret Kunzer and the Kingsmere Residents Association, more than 30 residents agreed more need to be done to avoid any accidents.

Mrs Kunzer said: "It really worries us for the pedestrians, especially our pupils that are crossing over to Kingsmere every day.

"People who are crossing back and forth from Kings End in Bicester do not have enough safe areas for crossing. I probably have a parent talk to me about Middleton Stoney Road every single day about their worries."

The parents pleaded to a representative for Oxfordshire County Council Highways Mike Smith, Oxfordshire County Councillor for Bicester West Les Sibley and estate developer Countryside Properties for more adequate crossings.

Currently there are several 'uncontrolled pedestrian crossings' along Middleton Stoney Road and just one traffic light controlled crossing.

But residents argue the one controlled crossing is redundant as it does not connect to anywhere for people to walk between the town centre and Kingsmere.

In response Mr Smith said the estate, which will eventually house up to 1,900 homes, was not yet finished and the existing controlled crossing will make sense when the secondary school is built over the next two years.

He also said despite worries regarding speeding along the Middleton Stoney Road, a traffic survey has found average speeds of below 30mph.

The statistics showed prior to the speed humps being brought in last year the average speed was 33.4mph and since has lowered to 28mph.

Oxfordshire County Councillor for Bicester West Les Sibley said he agreed the road could be improved and has spoken to the highways team about widening the pathways to incorporate a cycle way for better safety.

He added: "With all the development coming up it does put pressure on that road and these plans for Kingsmere were unfortunately decided in 2006 when things were very different.

"I agree that there could be improvements with the volume of traffic using Middleton Stoney Road, especially more HGVs, and it's not just children needing to cross there but many other people also.

"Anything to help improve safety would be welcomed in my book."

The group added that a traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing would be better placed opposite Loddon Close, especially as it is regularly used by schoolchildren for trips such as walking to the St Edburg's church.

Kingsmere Residents Association chairman Graham Brogden said: "There are no railings, no adequate signage to safeguard youngsters from walking straight out onto the road.

"It is the perfect site for railings to guide you along to the dropped curb and the bobbly blocks (tactile paving) to show where to cross the road.

"It doesn’t matter how many crossing we have, we need more as we are completely cut off from existing Bicester – instead they are all based towards the retail.

"If we have to raise the money for it as a community we will, let’s take action now to install them before an accident happens."