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New proposals aim to prioritise cycling and walking in Banbury
24/05/2022
A consultation is underway to seek our views on 24 different active travel routes
A new plan could see a network of cycleways and pedestrian crossings help people on their bikes and feet to get around Banbury more quickly. The man behind Highways Management at the County Council says their aim is to “prioritise active travel, such as cycling and walking, over road capacity for cars.”
Called a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), the scheme will help identify where cycleways and pedestrian crossings should be implemented or improved to enable people to cycle and walk safely and conveniently. Having a plan in place increases the chances of securing funds from the government and developers.
A consultation on the proposals for Banbury is now underway. This will guide how the town’s active travel network will be improved over the next 10 years.
17 different routes have been proposed in Banbury with a further 7 routes suggested from surrounding villages into town. For each route a document has been provided which identifies the key areas where work would be undertaken.
As an example, the proposed Route 1 runs from the Southam Road / Warwick Road junction past Banbury Cross up to Bloxham Road. Suggested improvements include adding in a cycle only phase to the Three Pigeons traffic lights and making room for a cycle lane on North Bar by reducing the footway, or removing a lane for cars.
Other suggestions on this route include giving priority to cyclists and pedestrians at Banbury Cross and potentially removing the right-turn only lane into the Bloxham Road to allow room for a southbound cycle lane.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “Our aim is to prioritise active travel, such as cycling and walking, over road capacity for cars. Projects like this Banbury LCWIP show practical ways that we can help people to reduce their reliance on cars for short journeys, and helps the council tackle climate action, improve air quality and create a healthier Oxfordshire.
“The feedback we receive from the public, from businesses and other organisations will help us shape these proposals. We have already worked with Banbury Town Council and Cherwell District Council and now we want as many people as possible to take part so we can develop a better-connected active travel network.”
Currently there are no estimates available on how much any of the work would cost.
Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans have already been created for Oxford, Bicester and Kidlington.
The consultation on the proposals is now underway and runs until June 20. It can be found here.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam
andrew wickham On 24/05/2022 at 10:45 am
we don’t need public funding being wasted on consultation which will be decided regardless of public opinions & would be far better spent actually improving the roads and paths around Oxfordshire for all to walk ride or drive upon
Suzanne Scarsbrook On 24/05/2022 at 12:42 pm
Cycle routes are a waste of time. The path put in from Bloxham to Banbury is rarely used. Cyclist are still using the road. A complete waste of money. If a cycle path is there cyclists should be fined for not using them
paul marshall On 24/05/2022 at 3:58 pm
how about improving the conditions from Middleton cheney to Banbury, cycle route exists but is full of pot holes by overthorpe school. The cycle way from the roundabout dow the old daventry road and past the water works is a disgrace and full of bums and potholes, the bollards you cannot see at night as they are grey in colour.
Jo On 24/05/2022 at 4:16 pm
How many of this routes you draw on a map you want to do anything with and how many is just art? It is absolutely obvious route should start in estates and take you somewhere like Retail, industrial, center of town. Even markings on a road are not a solution. ” you build cycle routes not painting them”
Mandy Ryder On 24/05/2022 at 10:25 pm
We would love a cycle lane / path from Adderbury to Bloxham we have no public transport in Milton and it would be great to be able to walk safely on the main road to go to the next village. My husband cycles to work and back it would make it safer for him too.
Rosalind Jeffers On 25/05/2022 at 8:16 am
How about improving the canal footpath so people can walk or cycle straight into town from Longford Park All phases. With 2 bridges created, one from the new park and one over the canal on Longford Park phase 4.
Andy Smith On 26/05/2022 at 10:50 pm
Any cycle lane is beneficial, especially around the town centre where there is more traffic and pedestrian routes that are well maintained to encourage people to walk places are a good thing
S Miller On 28/05/2022 at 12:14 pm
Cycle and walking routes need to be PLANNED before new housing and development takes place, not as an afterthought. The right hand filter lane at Bloxham road is essential for traffic coming out of St Johns road. The right hand turn from St Johns road on to Oxford road almost impossible even though there is a yellow box. Visibility is very poor. Turning left to the right hand filter lane is much easier than turning right. There are constant emergency vehicles going through this junction. It is not a good place for a cycle lane no matter what you do. It would be better to take bicycles round the back of Banbury cross health centre and out at crouch street. Banbury streets need to be cleaned and maintained to encourage people to walk.