A new toucan crossing and pavement conversion to a shared-use foot and cycleway could be given the green light despite objections raised by Bicester Bike Users’ Group.

The plans would be funded by developers building next to the road.

Development on Bicester Road (Image: Google Maps)

Raising objections in a consultation on the proposals, the group said: “Shared provision does not work for either pedestrians or cyclists.

“It is concerning that the plan also shows a proposed pedestrian only crossing to the north connecting to a shared (cycle + pedestrian) path.

“This is coherent or not policy compliant.”

Cycling advocacy group, Cyclox supported the scheme saying it welcomed “the inclusion of a signal-controlled toucan crossing and the provision of a wider footway/cycleway, which will improve crossing opportunities”.

However, it said there is “opportunity to further strengthen the scheme so that it better reflects current best practice” noting how the current design of the bike path could “lead to conflict and reduced comfort for both pedestrians and cyclists”.

Oxfordshire Livable Streets also had a mixed response stating “we have a number of concerns”.

It suggested that the shared path should be four meters wide rather than three as is proposed.

The campaign group’s response added: “Consideration needs to be given as to how people cycling on the shared path will safely rejoin the carriageway inside the development.

“It is unclear from the plans where that is supposed to happen.”

Residents had mixed responses.

One believes the toucan crossing could save lives.

They stated: “Drivers regularly disregard the zebra crossings – even when people are crossing on them.

“It’s so dangerous. As a driver I use this road almost daily and have witnessed many near misses involving adults and children.

“A toucan crossing would help improve safety so much before some innocent person – likely a child, loses their life in a totally preventable tragedy and parents lose their child.”

An Oxford United fan said they thought the plans would be “beneficial to stadium users”.

Another resident noted: “This is good news for cyclists as it’s extremely unsafe to cycle on the parallel Oxford Road due to the vast number of potholes.”

One member of public objected, saying another shared-use path on the northern side of the road is “in very poor shape” leading to danger for cyclists in the busy road.

A decision on the proposed infrastructure is set to be made by the leader of Oxfordshire County Council at a meeting on Thursday, May 21.

Who the leader will be is yet to be confirmed, as an election is set to take place on Wednesday morning at an extraordinary meeting of the council.

It will likely be Tim Bearder, the new Lib Dem group leader, who will be put forward by the party, which is currently in minority administration.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the UKHSA said that its specialists were “working with local authority and NHS partners following three cases of meningococcal infection (meningitis) in young people in Reading”.

According to a GP surgery based in Henley, the person who died with suspected meningitis was a student at Henley College.

Henley College has been approached with further questions, but so far it has not responded.

READ MORE: Waitrose across UK shut due to ‘critical error’

It is understood that the other two cases are linked to schools in the Reading area.

“Dear patients. We have been in contact with the UK Health Security Agency this morning (14th May) regarding the very sad news that a student at Henley College has died with suspected meningococcal disease,” the Hart Surgery said in a statement on Thursday evening.

“They have confirmed that they are actively contacting those who may be at risk due to a close association with the student involved.

“If you have not been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency, then currently you do not require any treatment. Staff and students have been advised they can attend the college as usual.

“The number of confirmed cases is very low so there are currently no plans for a local emergency meningitis vaccination programme.”

In a new statement, Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo said on Friday morning: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the students affected.

“I’m also urging everyone in the area to re-familiarise themselves with the symptoms and signs of meningitis.”

Nearby Wheatley Pharmacy added: “Due to increased local interest around Meningitis B vaccination, we currently have Meningitis B vaccine in stock at Wheatley Pharmacy.”

Two Voyager planes suffered £7 million worth of damage during the incident at the RAF base in West Oxfordshire on Friday, June 20, 2025.

In an early morning raid, protesters on two e-scooters broke into the military base and used fire extinguishers to spray the aircraft with red paint and also threw crowbars into the engine rotors, it is alleged.

As a result, the planes were taken out of action and the turbines needed to be replaced at a cost of £2 million each, a court was told last year.

The incident took place at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire (Alamy/PA)

Five people were already charged with the incident, including Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, of no fixed abode, Jony Cink, 24, of no fixed abode, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 35, of London and Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, of Stockport.

On Friday, May 15, Thames Valley Police said it charged Lara Downes, of Gipsy Hill, Norwood, London, on Thursday, May 14.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire college confirms student died from meningitis

Downes is charged with criminal damage, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom, contrary to section 4(1) of the National Security Act 2023.

The 44-year-old was remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

A provisional trial date at the Old Bailey was set for six to eight weeks from January 18, 2027.

Two jet engines, one on each Voyager aircraft, had to be replaced following the incident at a cost of £2.5 million per engine, a court heard previously.

Sign at entrance to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire (Image: Tim Ockenden / PA)

Fire extinguishers marked with the words Palestine Action and Palestinian flags were recovered at the scene.

Palestine Action went on to claim responsibility for the incident in a YouTube video which included footage of the incident.

The Government subsequently moved to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws on July 5.

Sir James Eadie KC, for the Home Office, told the court that the ban “strikes a fair balance between interference with the rights of the individuals affected and the interests of the community”.

But in the High Court decision in February, Dame Victoria Sharp, Mr Justice Swift and Mrs Justice Steyn said the ban was “disproportionate”.

Reading a summary of the decision, Dame Victoria said: “The nature and scale of Palestine Action’s activities falling within the definition of terrorism had not yet reached the level, scale and persistence to warrant proscription.”

The ban has remained in place until the conclusion of the Home Office challenge.