Residents of Horsham Close in Banbury say their road has not been fully resurfaced since 1983 and that short-term patching is ineffective. Oxfordshire County Council cites limited funds, a 'risk-based' repair strategy and a national average resurfacing cycle of 103 years. The council will inspect the road later this month but gave no timetable for resurfacing, saying busier routes are prioritised.
Banbury row: Horsham Close still unresurfaced since 1983 — residents demand answers
Residents of Horsham Close in Banbury say their road has not been fully resurfaced since 1983 and that short-term patching is ineffective. Oxfordshire County Council cites limited funds, a 'risk-based' repair strategy and a national average resurfacing cycle of 103 years. The council will inspect the road later this month but gave no timetable for resurfacing, saying busier routes are prioritised.
06:57 PM, 11/18/2025Politics
Banbury row: Horsham Close still unresurfaced since 1983
Residents of Horsham Close in Banbury say their street has never been fully resurfaced since it was built in 1983. Locals report that repeated short-term patching has done little to address potholes and surface deterioration, leaving the road looking neglected and raising safety and comfort concerns for drivers and pedestrians.
Oxfordshire County Council's transport chief defended the authority's approach, saying limited budgets require a 'risk-based' prioritisation of repairs and pointing to a national average resurfacing cycle of 103 years. The council has promised to inspect Horsham Close later this month but declined to set a date for full resurfacing, noting that busier, higher-traffic roads must be dealt with first.
Council response (summary): We follow a risk-based programme and prioritise roads carrying greater traffic. With constrained funding, resurfacing cycles nationally average around 103 years.
Residents say an inspection without an accompanying timetable is unsatisfactory and are calling for clearer transparency on how local roads are assessed and funded. The forthcoming inspection will determine whether Horsham Close should be escalated for more substantial repairs or resurfacing.