Councillor says station parking and drop-off plans prioritise e-vehicle drivers over vulnerable residents
12/06/2025
Keiron Mallon has called on the County Council to urgently reconsider the scheme
A Banbury councillor has criticised Oxfordshire County Council’s current plans for drop-off points and disabled parking at Banbury Railway Station, branding them a failure that discriminates against vulnerable residents.
Work on the nearly £16m project to create a new entrance to the station from Tramway began last October.
Following a briefing on Wednesday evening, Easington councillor Kieron Mallon – who originally proposed the scheme – condemned the latest plans for failing to include essential drop-off bays and suitable disabled parking, whilst instead allocating electric vehicle charging points close to the station
“The County Council had a blank canvas and painted the wrong picture,” said Councillor Mallon. “They’ve removed bays at the North entrance and added just one electric-disabled bay at the South. What message does that send to elderly and disabled residents of South Banbury and surrounding villages?”
The current version of the proposals will see those accessing the station from the south needing to be dropped off on Tramway not far from where they were left before construction of the new scheme began.
Councillor Mallon argued that the plans ignore the needs of the disabled, elderly, and families with luggage. He warned that the current design could worsen congestion on Bridge Street – the very problem the scheme was meant to solve.
“I’m astonished [Oxfordshire County Council] put electric vehicle drivers ahead of those who need real support,” he added. “By 7am, [the southern] car park will be full, while those who genuinely need close access are left walking in all weather.”
He has called on the County Council to urgently reconsider the scheme, increasing the number of drop off bays closer to the station and increasing the number of disabled bays on the southern side, by moving the electric bays away from the entrance.
Councillor Mallon concluded: “The saying ‘spoil the job for a haporth of tar’ sums it up, you couldn’t make it up if you tried.”
In response a spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “Opening Tramway Road for west car park access will add another entry point to Banbury station, helping to reduce congestion on Bridge Street and Cherwell Street, and improve future access for cyclists, pedestrians, and buses.
“The drop-off bay planned for Tramway Road was part of the design and will formalise the current arrangement and provide a safer walking route to the station. This bay complements other drop-off areas to the north of the station and in the east multistorey car park.
“The current drop-off area in the station forecourt will be moved east, retaining six drop-off bays next to a safe route to the station entrance.
“No additional electric vehicle charging bays will be added; the existing two will be relocated to prioritise disabled and other enlarged access parking bays close to the station entrance.
“The west car park has been designed as per railways standards because it is owned by Network Rail and leased to Chiltern Railways. The design includes six disabled and six enlarged parking bays. Enlarged bays can be adapted for use as disabled or family bays. The split of each have yet to be decided as discussions with Network Rail are ongoing.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
