Oxford,
02
July
2018
|
10:00
Europe/London

Report recommends £150m Government cash for cycling in Oxford

National Infrastructure Commission report recommends £150m Government cash for cycling in Oxford

The county council has welcomed a report commissioned by the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) into improving cycling in Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge as part of the evidence base for the proposed Oxford-Cambridge Expressway project.

The report highlights the need to increase the number of journeys that are made by bike by improve cycling infrastructure and makes a number of recommendations for improving provision for cyclists in Cambridge, Oxford and Milton Keynes, including new separated cycle tracks on main roads, new off-road routes and remodelled junctions to make them safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

The report was written by former London Cycling Commissioner Andrew Gilligan, who calls for Queen Street to be re-opened to cyclists and a network of segregated cycle lanes to be set up across the city. Gilligan estimates the total cost of full implementation of its recommendations at £150m although the county council has pointed out that none of these measures currently have funding. The NIC makes clear that the author’s conclusions are his own.

Susan Halliwell, Director for Planning and Place, said:

“We welcome this National Infrastructure Commission report which challenges us all to think about ways to improve the experience and safety for cyclists in Oxford. As the report shows, there needs to be significant investment in cycling provision for Oxford, although the measures do not have funding at the moment.

"The county council has already secured a lot of funding for cycling improvements, including the separate cycle lane on The Slade and a £5m improvement to Botley Road. We have produced guidance for planners and developers to ensure cycling is designed into new developments across Oxfordshire, and we will continue to push for more investment to improve cycling provision.”

The county council has a track record of successfully securing significant funding for cycling improvements, including the separate cycle lane on The Slade and a £5m improvement to Botley Road. We also produce guidance for planners and developers to ensure cycling is designed into new developments across Oxfordshire, which has been praised by cycling campaigners. Other improvements include:

  • The £12.5m Access to Headington which includes measures to improve cycle comfort, safety and priority such as a stepped cycleway along the Slade, which has now been completed.
  • The overhaul of the junction of Broad Street, Parks Road, Holywell Street and Catte Street so that it now features a ‘junction table’ with roundabout style surfacing similar to Frideswide Square. This scheme was delivered with the city council and Oxford University and has enhanced the cycling environment making it easier for all road users to navigate what is one of the city's most beautiful streets.
  • The Plain as part of the Governments Cycle City Ambition Grant
  • Oxford’s Riverside Route, being delivered as part of the Governments Cycle City Ambition Grant,
  • Frideswide Square with its off-road cycling areas and Cutteslowe and Wolvercote roundabouts with enhanced cycle and pedestrian facilities, they show our commitment to improving the amenability and safety of infrastructure for cyclists.

The county council will continue to push for more investment to improve cycling provision.

Andrew Gilligan’s report is here.