Give us your views on major cycle scheme for Witney
Residents in Witney are being asked to offer their views on a major new cycle scheme to help make the town a safer place to cycle and walk to cut vehicle journeys and offer cleaner air.
The proposals for the scheme in Witney result from an active travel investment from the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) to increase cycle journeys and improve the wellbeing of the community.
Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “This is great news for Witney. The funding from OxLEP recognises the ambition of our active travel plans and enables us to build on our existing commitment to accelerate our bold plans for transforming how people travel and how communities are connected. As the Witney area grows, it is vital that this growth is made sustainably so we minimise emissions and car journeys and help the growth be geared to connected and healthy, active communities.”
“Active travel and climate action are at the heart of our plans. We have put forward schemes which will have the greatest impact in terms of air quality, physical activity and environmental benefit. This scheme and that for Bicester are projects which go to the heart of supporting healthy and vibrant communities.”
Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of OxLEP, said: “As the Local Enterprise Partnership for Oxfordshire, we continue to play a vitally important role moving forward, securing investment that enables and unlocks new opportunities for our many businesses and communities right across the county. We would encourage residents and businesses in Witney to take part in this upcoming process, as this new cycle scheme continues to evolve.”
This scheme will improve sustainable cycle routes across a central corridor in Witney and allow safer pedestrian and cycle journeys, while encouraging a shift away from car use. It will also have far reaching benefits beyond the immediate corridor. It will combine proposed improvements with secured walking and cycling measures in western Witney that together provide a continuous east-west route across the whole town.
A number of supporting measures to slow vehicle traffic and prioritise cyclists and pedestrians will include upgrading crossings to toucan crossings. Proposals also include an eastbound bus and cycle only lane at Corn Street, where general traffic will only be allowed westbound and closure of Holloway Road to through traffic to prevent rat-running. Paths will also be widened to create a safer environment to cycle and walk.
The county council is seeking the opinions of residents, visitors and local businesses before the scheme is implemented. The council is running this pre-statutory consultation survey to understand resident expectations and concerns so the output from the consultation will be carefully examined as the scheme progresses to the next stage.
The consultation opens on 21 January and closes at 23.59 on 11 February.
You can learn more about the plans for the scheme in Witney and examine some frequently asked questions and take part in the consultation on the county council’s website.