ALL highways decisions made by Oxfordshire County Council need to be reviewed, a council chairman has said, following changes over a controversial pedestrian crossing.

Vale of White Horse District Council chairman Mike Badcock has already asked county leader Ian Hudspeth to review Abingdon’s one-way traffic system.

Mr Badcock spoke out after county cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith made a u-turn after granting permission for two “dangerous” crossings in Abingdon.

Abingdon councillor Mr Badcock said he was “totally appalled” by the decision.

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He added: “It was the same officers who told us to bring in a one-way system in the town centre nine years ago, which I have never liked.

“If they were wrong about this, I think they ought to review all of their previous decisions.”

He said he was considering creating a petition for residents to call for the one-way system to be reviewed.

Mr Nimmo Smith’s decision may have effectively given the go-ahead to a 159-home estate in Abingdon which Mr Badcock opposed.

A planning inspector made the crossings essential when he granted Hallam Land Management planning permission, to break up traffic queues from its estate.

The plans involve creating a new crossing on Ock Street, east of Drayton Road, and moving the current crossing on Marcham Road to the west of Drayton Road, further west.

Mr Nimmo Smith refused the crossings in March, despite traffic officers’ recommendation they should be approved. Hallam then sold the site to Taylor Wimpey, which challenged Mr Nimmo Smith’s decision, claiming he had not explained it well enough.

A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: “Our scheme will deliver 159 high-quality homes, public open space and highway improvements, and make financial contributions to the local community.”

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