A BICESTER Advertiser-backed campaign for a safe school crossing point has triumphed.

Schoolchildren have applauded the news that work will start to create a toucan crossing on the notoriously busy road.

For more than a year, pupils at St Edburg's School and the Kingsmere Residents Association have pleaded with authorities to improve safety on Middleton Stoney Road.

The campaign, spearheaded by the residents' group, was launched in May 2017 with concerns for schoolchildren who cross the road on school runs and church trips.

This week Oxfordshire County Council confirmed works on a new crossing – thought to be costing upwards of £75,000 – will start on Monday.

St Edburg's pupil Chantelle Craig, 10, said: "It will make a real difference to my disabled parents who need a proper crossing to be able to get across the Middleton Stoney Road."

Classmate Paige Smith, nine, said the traffic was very fast and that she didn’t like crossing the road currently to get to school, and nine-year-old Remia Blossom said: "As we get older, it will mean that it’s safer to cross on our own."

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

Residents argue that one crossing was redundant as it did not connect to anywhere for people to walk between the town centre and Kingsmere.

As part of the crossing campaign, children from the school designed posters and spoke with local councillors about the issue.

St Edburg's headteacher Margaret Kunzer said: "The children have personal experience of crossing the road and told us they found it dangerous and frightening.”

Mrs Kunzer explained the importance of having a crossing so that people living on Kingsmere could get into the town easily and safely.

She said: "It has taken longer than anyone hoped for the crossing to be put up and the children are relieved that it is finally going to be installed.

"The children expressed relief that the crossing is finally coming and look forward to being able to cross safely to get to school or play with their friends."

Building on the Kingsmere site started in 2012 and the estate will eventually have 2,450 homes.

The Kingsmere Residents Association led the campaign not just for safety but also to help connect the housing estate to the rest of Bicester.

At their first meeting with Oxfordshire County Council, the authority stressed the cost of the project, prompting fears the campaigners may have to raise the money themselves.

But now the council's latest package of proposed improvements includes not only the toucan crossing on the Middleton Stoney Road close to Newton close but also a shared footway/ cycleway on the western side of Oxford Road and improvements along Queens Avenue.

Association secretary Bryan Taunton said: "We are absolutely delighted the crossing is going to be installed on Monday, it is fantastic.

"It has taken a lot of time and effort and I would thank everyone involved.

"It is a relief as everyone was so concerned, it is a great example of community support and team work despite frustrations of it taken quite so long."

Mr Taunton said funding has come from a number of organisations including Countryside Properties – the main Kingsmere developer.

Oxfordshire County councillor for the area Les Sibley, who has pushed for the improvement alongside residents, added: "This is a success story of achievement for the children and residents of Kingsmere who campaigned.

"Once the crossing is in place it will make crossing the busy road a safer option for everyone.

"They were also concerned about Kingsmere being isolated from the rest of the town but this crossing will help forge a link for everyone."