Clarifications have been added to this report to distinguish between two separate road junctions both situated on the A40 in east Oxford. An earlier version incorrectly associated the Headington junction with images depicting an incident at Barton Fields. Any confusion caused is regretted.
Alarms have been voiced regarding a major urban A40 crossroads after an incident involving a young person.
The junction where a child and adult were hit lies close to the Headington McDonald’s establishment, at the convergence of the route with the A420 and Eastern Bypass Road.
This is designated the Headington junction.
The second location sits to the north-west, where Barton Fields Road connects with the A40.
Local inhabitant Rosemary Mecklenburgh alongside Councillor Glynis Phillips have both highlighted this spot.
Concerns have been expressed about the Headington junction where the A40 intersects with North Way and Eastern Bypass Road.
An incident took place at the Barton Fields A40 junction on November 7, 2025 (Image: Rosemary Mecklenburgh)
This follows an occurrence on Tuesday, April 14 in which two people, including a small child, sustained severe injuries.
The incident happened just after noon on Tuesday when the South Central Ambulance Service attended a crash involving two pedestrians and a van.
An official reported: Two ambulances and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance critical care response vehicle were despatched to the location.
The pedestrians comprised a woman and a child approximately three years of age.
Their injuries were serious but not life-threatening, and following treatment at the scene, both were subsequently taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Roz Smith (L) at the A40 Oxford junction (Image: Roz Smith)
Local elected members Chewe Munkonge, Roz Smith and Glynis Phillips all conveyed hopes for the child and woman to make full recoveries.
Labour representative Mr Munkonge – who will assume the role of Oxford’s mayor in May – acknowledged persistent worries about the Headington junction and that many locals might feel uneasy about the crossing.
He stated: This occurrence merely emphasizes the urgency to address them promptly.
I shall be raising this matter personally with the county council, as the highways authority, to guarantee that safety at this junction undergoes thorough examination and that appropriate measures are introduced to prevent any comparable incident from happening again.
An incident took place at the Barton Fields A40 junction on August 11, 2024 (Image: Rosemary Mecklenburgh)
Liberal Democrat representative Roz Smith indicated that a 30mph speed restriction ought to be established at the Headington junction.
She observed: Clearly we will need to study the police and highway documentation, but my concerns regarding pedestrian safety when crossing the busy A40 thoroughfare persist.
I continue to advocate for the A40 30mph speed limit to be extended to encompass the Sandhills and Thornhill junction.
An Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson remarked: Our sympathies extend to those injured in this collision.
Our Vision Zero road safety unit is perpetually working on methods to improve safety on the county’s roads, and we shall review the conclusions from the police inquiry into the incident upon receipt.
In the vicinity of the Headington Junction, an extended campaign has been proceeding regarding the A40 London Road’s crossing point where it meets Barton Fields Road.
Barton Park resident Rosemary Mecklenburgh clarified that a community initiative has been operating since 2019 to reduce dangers at this crossing.
She cited multiple occurrences over recent years encompassing ambulance attendances in December 2025 and June 2024, vehicle impacts in July 2024 and August 2023, and incidents resulting in damage to public infrastructure in July 2024.
Ms Mecklenburgh commented: We have demanded better timing for pedestrian crossing signals, speed and red-light enforcement cameras, more visible signage, safety barriers for pedestrians near the crossing, and lowering the speed limit to 30mph.
No action has been taken and the incidents continue, she added.
Local councillor Ms Phillips emphasised that safety must take precedence.
She noted: I have been campaigning for years regarding dangerous junctions on the ring road and requesting speed cameras at the Barton Park junction and a pedestrian crossing on the A40 between Barton and Risinghurst.