Freddie van Mierlo MP Raises Safety Concerns Over Lorry Movements in Thame

On Thursday 29 January 2026, Freddie van Mierlo, MP for Henley and Thame, visited Thame at the invitation of local residents to see first-hand the impact of heavy lorry movements on the town.

The visit was organised by residents including Roger Clarke and Tom Pote, who highlighted serious concerns about road safety, particularly on narrower residential streets. Mr Clarke explained that the group’s primary concern was the safety of local residents, while Mr Pote warned that on some of the smaller roads the situation was an “accident waiting to happen”, especially during the dark winter months.

During the visit, residents pointed out locations where large lorries were struggling to manoeuvre safely, creating risks for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. Concerns were also raised about visibility, road width, and the suitability of certain routes for heavy goods vehicles.

Freddie van Mierlo MP and the County Councillor for Thame Kate Gregory thanked residents for taking the time to meet him on a very cold morning and for clearly setting out their concerns. He committed to following up the issues raised by speaking directly to relevant haulage firms and engaging with Oxfordshire County Council to explore whether practical solutions could be found to improve safety.

Commenting after the visit, Freddie van Mierlo MP said:
“Seeing these issues on the ground makes a real difference. Residents are rightly worried about safety, particularly on smaller roads that were never designed to accommodate large volumes of heavy lorries. I’m grateful to local people for giving up their time to show me what’s happening, and I will now be raising these concerns with the companies involved and the county council to see what changes can be made to reduce risk and improve safety for everyone.”

The MP and County Councillor will continue to work with residents and local authorities to seek constructive solutions that protect the safety of people living in and travelling through Thame.