Oxford's busiest roundabout is a "ghastly wilderness" that is too dangerous for workers to tidy up.

City council officers say Headington roundabout needs a complete overhaul to welcome visitors arriving in Oxford from the M40.

Green Road roundabout in Headington

Horticultural development officer John Alcock has designed floral borders on Oxford's other main roundabouts.

But he said the busiest, where London Road, Headington, and the northern and eastern bypasses meet, is unsafe for gardeners to work on.

He said: "At the moment it has trees and shrubs which are unkept. The grass is not really kept to the level it should be, even though contractors do cut it about twice a year. It really is ghastly, but it's not safe for workers to get on to.

"It is not a good sight for anyone coming into the city from the M40."

Mr Alcock is now waiting for the Highways Agency to decide if a drop-kerb can be built to allow work vehicles to drive safely on to the roundabout.

Mr Alcock said: "If we could get on to it, we would do something low maintenance. It wouldn't be bedding plants because of the safety issue.

"Elsewhere in the city, we do bedding plants twice a year, with a summer and spring border. Then we just keep the roundabouts maintained."

The Green Road roundabout, is currently maintained by Highways Agency contractor Parson Brinkerhoff. No-one from the company, or from the Highways Agency, was available to comment.