Councillor unhappy cycleway prioritised within “multi million pound white elephant”
25/11/2025
Oxfordshire’s Highways Chief has defended the changes saying they will benefit everyone
A local councillor has criticised Oxfordshire County Council for introducing a 50 metre cycle lane on Station Approach, precluding the option of adding drop off and pick up points close to the train station in the future.
Councillor Kieron Mallon feels cyclists are being prioritised over pedestrians.
The change is part of the project to improve access to Banbury train station from the southern side of town. Half of the newly widened Station Approach has been taken up by the cycle lane.
The County Council recently approved a small number of drop-off bays for pedestrians on Tramway. They had originally intended to include these close to the station but changed their plans, noting that “due to a reduction in land availability this could not be accommodated”.
Councillor Mallon said: “The total lack of empathy for elderly, disabled, mums with prams and Chiltern customers with luggage is evidenced with Oxfordshire County Council’s (OCC) latest anti car policy to exclude rail users from accessing the new southern entrance to Banbury Railway Station by car.
“OCC have narrowed the brand new Station Approach by the installation of raised curbs and bollards for a segregated cycle way for just 50 metres. The segregated cycle way does not link any other cycleway on or off road but merely ends any chance OCC and Chiltern have of helping Chiltern customers to access the south of the station and OCCs role of helping the elderly and disabled.
“This could have been a great scheme but is now a multi £million white elephant led by anti car dogma which OCCs decision makers believe will make everyone cycle to the station! But in reality it disadvantages those who have mobility problems who live in south Banbury and the villages of a quick safe access and drives more cars on and through the Bridge Street junction where OCC is also spending £millions to ‘improve bus times’.”
Councillor Mallon concluded: “People who are in a hurry or use Tramway road to access the new entrance will still have to drop off and pick up on the old part of Tramway walk in the cold wet and rain, hundreds of yards away from the entrance they want to use and then sit, wet and steaming on the train, not a good experience Chiltern, not great customer care, Chiltern and OCC own all the land available and could have worked together for the benefit of all, pedestrians, passengers, busses, cyclists and taxis but have chosen not to do so”.
But Oxfordshire’s Highways Chief has defended the project and believes the changes will benefit everyone.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “The Tramway Road improvements are designed to improve access to Banbury rail station for pedestrians, cyclists, buses, taxis, and private car users.
“The use of cycle lane defenders along Station Approach Road will improve safety by separating cyclists from buses and allowing cyclists to continue along Station Approach Road without being stopped by the traffic signals.
“This section of cycle lane will also be integrated with our delivery of the Banbury Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and we are working on feasibility designs for the Eastern Active Travel Corridor which will complement the new infrastructure.
“For commuters accessing the station from south Banbury using Tramway Road, there will be a new drop-off bay on Tramway Road and access to the west car park. Additionally, we are exploring opportunities to provide extra drop-off facilities to the south of the new roundabout and within the car park.
“We are also maintaining the drop-off area to the north of the station, which provides a closer drop off for disabled passengers.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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