Three parish councils have written a letter calling for a proper assessment before a level crossing is closed as residents are 'extremely concerned'.

There are plans to close two public level crossings at Yarnton Lane and Sandy Lane, Kidlington, with new roads and foot bridges taking their place.

Network Rail, which owns the nation's railway tracks, is looking to close the crossings as part of a national programme to close all level crossings with a high-risk of incidents or fatalities.

The Sandy Lane level crossing sits on a fast-straight section of track between Oxford and Banbury.

At this location, a ramped pedestrian footbridge and cycle bridge has been proposed – with no access for vehicles.

Malcolm Ryder, chairman of Begbroke Parish Council, David Robey, chairman of Kidlington Parish Council and Jackie Hoyle chairman of Yarnton Parish Council devised a letter to Yvonne Rees, the chief executive of Oxfordshire County Council calling for the closure to be given more consideration.

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In the letter it states: "Our residents are extremely concerned by the plans to close Sandy Lane. It is the direct route between Yarnton and Kidlington and its closure will mean that people who drive to and fro will have to drive an extra two miles each way, adding four miles to their journey."

The parish councillors say the decision to close Sandy Lane has been made without any public consultation on the use of the road or consideration of its users.

They say Oxfordshire County Council has never counted the traffic using the level crossing, nor made any assessment of the impact the closure of Sandy Lane will have on local residents accessing key facilities.

The parish councillors believe that Oxfordshire County Council owes it to the community and the users of the crossing to make a proper assessment of the use of the road and the level crossing.

They want to see an assessment of the impact of the proposed closure, and to consider alternatives, and that Network Rail should pause its plans until that assessment has been carried out.

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A petition to save the Sandy Lane level crossing has more than 2,000 signatures objecting to the closure of the crossing to traffic.

A spokesperson from the County Council said: “The county council is waiting to hear from Network Rail as regards its planned alternatives to the level crossing and how it plans to assess impacts and consult. The council is a consultee in this process not a consulter.

"Cherwell District Council’s Local Plan does include reference to pedestrian and cycle improvements linking Kidlington, Begbroke and Yarnton including the creation of a green active travel corridor at Sandy Lane after any closure.”

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