Two very interesting letters from Ruth Wilkinson and Hugh Jaeger (Oxford Mail, July 21) prompted me to write regarding another dreadful example of road planning in the Headington area – namely Headley Way from the John Radcliffe Hospital junction to Cherwell Drive.

It is inconceivable that road planners can disrupt a thoroughfare of such importance as this by introducing residents’ parking down the side.

The Highway Code, rule 106, states: “A broken white line marks the centre of the road. When this line lengthens and the gaps shorten, it means that there is a hazard ahead. Do not cross it unless you can see the road is clear well ahead and wish to overtake or turn off.”

The vehicles parked from Eden Drive to a short distance past Derwent Avenue make it impossible to keep to the left of the carriageway when descending the hill. The consequence is, vehicles of all types are forced to travel in the path of oncoming traffic permanantly.

The lunacy starts at the first junction with Eden Drive where the first parking space is placed opposite a bus stop. The reduced carriageway then continues almost to Copse Lane when a cycle lane appears. How did the cyclists manage till this point in the descent of the hill?

Buses turning right from Derwent Avenue into Headley Way can only do so by driving a considerable length into the path of on-coming traffic before manoeuvring to the left as legally required.

Some observations as to why this is such an important thoroughfare are obvious. First it is the main access road to the John Radcliffe Hospital, requiring use by ambulances 24/7, and it is a bus route.

On this stretch of road stands a school and, opposite, a church.

There are five road junctions on the north-east side with one private junction on the south-west side.

In my judgement this on-road parking causes extensive delays to through traffic and, more importantly, to thousands of patients attempting to keep appointments at the John Radcliffe from Monday-Friday, including emergency ambulances. Each morning there are tailbacks from Cherwell Drive to the Marston Flyover.

Almost every driver using the residents’ parking area folds in their car mirrors, for fear of a passing vehicle dismantling them.

Headley Way was perfectly planned in the days of horse-driven vehicles with its two pavements and a grass verge each side of the road. But with the advent of the John Radcliffe, something has to give.

Either remove the parking or widen the road by removing one of the pavements.

Quoting again from The Highway Code introduction, it states: “The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts to establish liability.”

So any accident on this stretch of road could be deemed the fault of the council.

David Brown Jordan Hill Oxford