Oxfordshire new traffic lights and bike lane plan fears

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.