Motor medics

9:05am Thursday 21st September 2006

Outspoken TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who was splattered with a custard pie in Oxford last year, has been invited to cut his addiction to the car.

The Petrol Addiction Rehab Clinic will be held in Broad Street tomorrow, to offer help to motorists who cannot live without their cars.

Organisers Roadwitch have invited Top Gear presenter Mr Clarkson - who was the target for a custard pie hurled by an anti-car protester when he received an honorary degree from Oxford Brookes University - to a session and mark Oxford's Car Free Day.

But his agent said Mr Clarkson, who lives near Chipping Norton, would not be able to drop in due to filming commitments.

Between noon and 5pm addicted motorists can lie on hospital beds or comfy chairs and speak to clinicians about their problems in a car-free environment.

The clinic has been organised by Oxford-based roads campaigner Ted Dewan, of Roadwitch, who earlier this year built a fake speed camera outside his home and created a Christmas tree out of abandoned bikes in 2004.

Children will also be given free rein of the streets for the afternoon when residents reclaim their roads.

All Saints Road, in Headington, will be closed between 3.30pm and 6pm. Residents have organised a street party, including children's activities, and will be relaunching their Twenty Is Plenty anti-speeding campaign.

Jannicke Stevens, a resident of All Saints Road who is helping to organise the event, said people living in neighbouring streets, such as Latimer Road, Bickleton Road, Stapleton Road and Lime Walk, would all be taking part.

She added: "We're trying to create a respect for the community by closing off the road and having car-free time to allow the children the time and space to play on the street."

As well as stalls, food and drink, there will be games for young people, including a cycle course with ramps.

Residents want a 20mph speed limit in All Saints Road and the surrounding streets.

Miss Stevens said: "It's used as a rat-run to get from London Road to Old Road when in fact the roads are actually quite narrow and it's not particularly safe."

Editor's choice