Banbury Traffic Advisory Committee call for site visit to Tramway improvement project
10/12/2025
Oxfordshire’s highways chief says they welcome the opportunity to continue talking with local partners
Members of the Banbury Traffic Advisory Committee are calling for representatives from Oxfordshire County Council and Chiltern Railways to join them for a site visit to the Tramway improvement project.
The Committee, which includes local councillors and representatives from bodies such as the town’s taxi drivers and civic society, met recently and discussed the multi-million pound scheme.
They expressed concerns that, when complete, the project may benefit cyclists and bus users, but disadvantage pedestrians, the elderly, disabled and those with luggage and prams, who still needed to be dropped off in Tramway, not far from the drop-off point prior to the project.
A letter has been sent inviting the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Andrew Gant, the chief highways officer Paul Fermer and a representative of Chiltern Railways to a site meeting.
Town Mayor Kieron Mallon Chairs the meeting. He said: “What a missed opportunity for [Oxfordshire County Council] and Chiltern Railways. I knew Adrian Shooter (who started Chiltern) – he will be turning in his grave at this debacle.
“We called on Chiltern to think of their customers who arrive from the south and walk to the station in the snow, wet and cold and then sit in a train steaming wet for their journey.
“The letter was duly sent but we haven’t yet received a reply. Its heartening that others have followed our example and are writing to [Oxfordshire County Council] to show their displeasure at the short sightedness of this folly.”
Banbury’s MP, Sean Woodcock, has also written to the county council requesting a meeting on the same subject.
Councillor Mallon concluded: “The West car park is full in the early morning by commuters so no chance of getting a parking space. Many people do not have a bus service, especially in the villages so have to use a car to drop off and pick up family members.
“Most of the cyclists are also early commuters so we couldn’t see why so much money and road space – half the road is made up of a 50 yard segregated cycle way by concrete kerbs – when a circulatory traffic movement with a dedicated drop off / pick up zone could and still could have been incorporated using [Oxfordshire County Council]’s Station Approach road and Chiltern’s car park, without even losing a parking bay!”
In response Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management said: “Work on the project is progressing well, and significant elements have been completed and opened, for example the new access to Banbury station through Tramway Road.
“When construction has finished passengers travelling along Tramway Road will have drop off provision and exclusive access to the west car park, which provides 118 standard bays, four disabled bays and three enlarged bays at the back of the station, adaptable for families or disabled users in the future.
“The new drop off facilities to the south of the new roundabout are in progress and, subject to permissions, will provide six bays plus one reserved for disabled users.
“We are also maintaining the existing drop-off areas at the north and east sides of the station, with the north providing close access to the station front door particularly for disabled and elderly passengers, and those with heavy luggage.
“The focus of this project, unchanged since 2021, is on creating a travel hub with direct cycle and bus links. As such, passengers walking, cycling, wheeling, or using a bus or taxi can reach the station front door directly using Tramway Road. This is facilitated by a ‘bus gate’ on Station Approach Road north which only allows buses, bicycles, and taxis through.
“We remain committed to supporting sustainable transport options in Banbury – while improving travel for all station users – and welcome the opportunity to continue talking with local partners who are interested in the project”.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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