Cycling and walking improvements get the go-ahead

31/07/2023

The plan will “reclaim space for people to use their environments in a way which is healthy, sustainable and safer”

The implementation of a number of steps to make cycling and walking safer and easier in Banbury have taken a step closer.   Oxfordshire County Council has adopted a plan to improve the town’s active travel network, aiming to reduce the reliance on single use motor vehicles and cut congestion.

The Banbury Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan will see improvements for those walking or cycling in the urban area of Banbury and out to Adderbury, Bloxham, Broughton, Great Bourton, Little Bourton, North Newington, Middleton Cheney and Wroxton.

The plan identifies the key routes and destinations where improvements for cycling are needed.   These will be achieved through segregated cycle routes, traffic free routes, speed reductions to 20mph and protected space for cycling.   Additional road crossings will also be introduced alongside improved junctions.

The plan does not include one option which has been problematic in Oxford, with the report noting: “we are not proposing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in the sense of introducing new traffic filters or restrictions”. 

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “Banbury is one of many towns across the country that is becoming swamped by traffic. This council has made it clear that one of our priorities is to reclaim space for people to use their environments in a way which is healthy, sustainable and safer, and the Banbury LCWIP will help us achieve that.

“More than 100 residents and groups took the time to engage with us on this plan, which is an excellent example of the importance of consultation. It changed considerably thanks to local knowledge and people responding to the proposals.”

The Banbury plan is the sixth Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan to be approved in Oxfordshire.


Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam

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