Delayed again

PLANS to install a pedestrian crossing in Benson have been delayed again.

The construction of the toucan crossing on the A4074 for both cyclists and pedestrians has already been delayed for more than a year.

Benson Parish Council says Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, has said the scheme is the second priority on a list of about 10 schemes recently handed to its contractor for construction.

But due to a shortage of road workers, it could take up to seven months before the crossing is installed. The work is costing £160,000, which will be funded by the county council with the exception of £10,000 from Benson Parish Council.

Parish council chairman Bill Pattison said: “The [council] have had trouble with procurement. They were finding it difficult to get contractors.

“This seems to be general across the construction industry but they’re telling us work will start early next year.

“We are constantly asking the county when it will be built and we’re in their hands. They’re not going to make an actual commitment to a date because they’re not necessarily going to hold to it but everyone’s desperate for it.”