North Oxford travel improvements complete

Residents in and around Cherwell and north Oxford are now benefitting from easier travel as construction work is complete on Oxfordshire County Council’s Kidlington roundabout project.

The project has improved footways and cycleways, added much needed pedestrian crossings and extended bus lanes. 

This completes the county council’s North Oxford corridor improvements programme, which provides transport infrastructure to support the expected housing growth across Cherwell district. This is part of the council’s Local Transport and Connectivity Plan, and its commitment to prioritise the health and wellbeing of residents and invest in an inclusive, integrated and sustainable transport network. 

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “I am delighted to see the completion of this project, which dramatically improves safety and connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians. The new signalised parallel crossings on Bicester Road, Oxford Road south and Frieze Way make a real difference to people on foot and cycling. With these and the new bus lanes, we are preparing for the significant growth expected in the Cherwell district, with some 22,000 homes planned by 2031 and just under 5,000 of those within a two-mile radius of this roundabout. 

“I would like to thank all residents and businesses in the area for their patience while the construction work has been carried out.”

IMAGE CAPTION: From left, Councillor Ian Middleton, Patrick Mulvihill, Aron Wisdom, Andy Warren, Councillor Judy Roberts, Lewis Cowley, Craig Buzzard and Yasith Nupearachchi.

 Improvements around the roundabout include:

• new signalised crossings for walking and cycling on Bicester Road, Oxford Road south and Frieze Way;
• new 3.5 metre wide shared use walking and cycling paths;
• improved street and footpath lighting;
• a new dedicated bus lane on Bicester Road (southbound) linking with the bus lane on the eastern section of Kidlington roundabout; and
• reduced speed limits of 30mph on the roundabout and its approaches.

 In addition, the project has provided a new shared-use cycle and pedestrian path from Frieze Way to Stratfield Brake sports ground. It has also provided a safe waiting area for south-bound cyclists to cross the service road along Oxford Road, which will help less-confident cyclists, particularly children, heading to the sports ground. 

The North Oxford corridor improvements programme has been delivered with the county council’s construction partner Milestone as three separate projects:

1.    Improvements to the A44 between the Loop Farm roundabout and the Cassington Road roundabout.

2.    Improvements to the A44 between the A34 Peartree interchange and the Loop Farm roundabout.

3.    Improvements to the Kidlington roundabout.

Craig Buzzard, Project Manager at Milestone Infrastructure, said: “It's been great to be part of the project team for Milestone Infrastructure, working collaboratively with Oxfordshire County Council to execute a scheme of this importance to the local community. The project provides widened, segregated footways to improve access into Oxford city centre, which we hope will be well received by pedestrians and cyclists alike.” 

For more information about this release contact Oxfordshire County Council’s communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Notes to editors:

•  Construction work on the Kidlington roundabout began on 8 January 2024.
• The Kidlington roundabout project cost £4.935 million.
• The North Oxford corridor improvements programme has been funded through the government’s Growth Deal funding and Section 106 contributions from developers.

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