Around 600 members of Unite, including library, museum, estates management, finance, student services and IT staff, are demanding the introduction of a “Cambridge weighting” allowance to address the high cost of living in the city as well as seeking a pay review.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Cambridge University is sitting on billions of pounds, but the workers who keep it running are struggling to keep their heads above water due to the incredibly high cost of living in the city.

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“Oxford University has introduced a local pay supplement to ensure workers can afford to live. Cambridge needs to as well. Unite will not back down until that happens.”

The workers previously took strike action in April and earlier this month, and Unite announced that further strikes will take place on May 13-15, 20-22 and 26-29.

A spokesperson for the University of Cambridge said: “We understand the challenges around the cost of living, and have introduced several measures in response, including a supplement of 2.5 per cent of basic pay for employees on lower pay grades, raising the minimum starting salary for research assistants and increasing paid family leave.

“While we regret that the forthcoming industrial action looks set to go ahead, we remain committed to open and constructive dialogue with Unite around pay and other issues.”

The event, held on Sunday, May 10, saw around 200 participants cycle into the city centre from five different starting points: West Oxford, Jericho, Cutteslowe, Headington, and East Oxford.

The streets filled with colourful riders of all ages, including a five-month-old.

Alison Moore, vice chairman of Cyclox, said: “In too many parts of the country it has become rare to see kids cycling on the road.

“We at Cyclox want every family in Oxford to feel confident cycling together and for children to grow up, able to cycle independently.

“Kidical Mass is a great way to get that started.”

The youngest participant was just five months old.

The city centre route included Broad Street, Holywell Street, Parks Road, and St Giles before returning to Gloucester Green.

Riders arrived at Gloucester Green from about 2.30pm after setting off from different locations at 2pm.

Cyclox supports more people to cycle in Oxford, more often and more safely and on Sunday we just took to the roads in numbers.

There were smiles all round but so often people cycling have to cope with fast traffic, poor or no cycle lanes and in some areas, it’s just not safe for children to cycle.

So we’ll continue to say 20mph is plenty where there are people, and we’ll be pushing for street designs and junctions which are safe for everyone – drivers, people cycling and pedestrians.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning (May 10), which saw all train services in the area closed for hours.

This temporary closure was announced shortly before 9am by Great Western Railway (GWR).

Several Oxfordshire to London trains and vice versa pass through Reading, meaning multiple connections have been cancelled or delayed this morning.

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Then, it was confirmed that a person was hit by a train as a statement on GWR’s website said: “A person has been struck by a train, leading to all lines being blocked.

“It is necessary to bring all trains in the affected area to an immediate stop.

“If you are onboard one of the services in this incident and have been affected by this incident or know someone else who needs support, there is always someone to talk to.

“Contact a Samaritan on 116 123 for free, any time, on any phone. Help is only a phone call away.”

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It has now been confirmed by British Transport Police that the victim, a man, sustained life-threatening injuries as a result.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Officers were called at around 8.50am on Saturday, May 10, to reports of a casualty on the tracks at Hayes and Harlington railway station.

“Officers responded with paramedics, and a man was taken to the hospital with potentially life-changing injuries. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.”

If you have been affected, you can contact the Samaritans for free at any time on 116 123 or visit the Samaritans’ website for support.