RESIDENTS have demanded action to cut the number of lorries on the busy London Road in Bicester to ease congestion on the busy route.

Households close to the level crossing outside Bicester Village Station say the rising number of lorries thundering through the town is a major cause of traffic problems heading in and out of town.

They say this issue has become worse since the Bicester to Oxford Parkway railway line opened as the level crossing is down for longer periods of time.

London Road resident Matt Fincham said: "The most effective solution to help reduce traffic problems is to restrict HGV access along this route and improve signage to ensure more through traffic uses the Eastern bypass rather than London Road or Launton Road.

"This is needed for both safety and environmental reasons and cannot come soon enough."

The proposed ban comes after solutions for the busy level crossing reported in the Bicester Advertiser last month revealed millions of pounds worth of funding was needed, plus a 'significant loss' of homes and businesses to make way for a tunnel or bridge at the crossing.

Mr Fincham said with costs of up to £65 million to build a tunnel and up to £44 million for a bridge he is not convinced a solution will be provided anytime soon for the town.

Therefore something needs to be done to cut the hold-ups on the through road.

He said: "There is a very good case to campaign for a restriction to HGVs along London Road.

"It will reduce traffic pressure on the level crossing but more importantly there is also a good safety and environmental case for this.

"How long before there is an accident because of a 44-tonne lorry in Market Square or down Launton Road by the entrance to Garth Park?"

An extra problem caused by vehicles standing still for large periods of time is the increase in air pollution.

Another resident, Brian Davies, added: "An HGV ban and clear road signing would make London Road and Launton Road much safer for other road users and pedestrians, plus it would help to control pollution levels.

"It would also reduce the length of queues formed when the level crossing is closed.

"There are a large number of lorries using London Road to access the trading estates at the far end of Launton Road, possibly because the drivers are following satnav guidance. These drivers would probably have a quicker journey using the ring road."

Oxfordshire County Council said it is currently reviewing weight limits within Bicester and with that it will be considering a weight limit for London Road.

Spokesman Martin Crabtree added: "However, a weight limit along this route would not prohibit HGVs that need access to the town centre and other locations along London Road.

"To inform any future proposals, surveys to establish current HGV movements and a statutory public consultation process will need to be done.

"This project is being conducted separately to the consideration of an appropriate solution to replace the London Road level crossing."