Oxfordshire County Council has appointed GRAHAM to deliver the Didcot to Culham river crossing section of the Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure (HIF1) scheme. This is the third and final construction contract to be awarded for this scheme.

The project will enable more reliable journey times, improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity, support new employment sites and housing in and around Didcot, and help facilitate new and enhanced bus services.

The Didcot to Culham river crossing includes a new 3.6km single carriageway road between the A4130 at the existing Collett roundabout junction in Didcot and the A415 at Culham. It will include a new bridge over the Appleford railway sidings and a new bridge over the River Thames. Segregated walking and cycling facilities will also be provided along the length of the scheme.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, said: “The Didcot to Culham river crossing will significantly reduce congestion in the area, and provide a safe route for walkers and cyclists. In particular, it will help relieve the congestion at the existing historic river crossings through Sutton Courtenay/Culham villages, and also at Clifton Hampden.

“These existing local bridges are old and not suitable for modern levels of traffic movement. They are often congested and subject to flooding in the winter months. This new crossing over the River Thames will help improve traffic flow, public transport journey times and reliability, and offer more resilience for public transport from flooding.

“The entire Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure scheme will give people more choice in how they travel, with improved conditions for active and sustainable kinds of travel which are better for everyone.”

Andrew Henry, GRAHAM Contracts Director, said: ““It is fantastic to have partnered with Oxfordshire County Council once again on another essential civil engineering project in the area.

“The Didcot to Culham river crossing is a complex project, which is ideally suited to our expertise. It will involve a complete overhaul of the current infrastructure, which is no longer fit for purpose, to deliver vital improvement works that support an enhanced quality of living for residents.”

Enabling works, including site clearance, archaeology investigations and utility diversions began earlier this year, and early construction activities are underway. Construction is expected to last approximately two and a half years.

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Residents and visitors to Wantage are being asked for their feedback on design proposals to improve the town centre and Market Place.

On Wednesday 10 June 2026, Oxfordshire County Council will launch a four-week survey to hear people’s views on the draft designs.

The design proposals have been developed following last year’s community engagement with local residents, businesses and councillors to help shape a vision to enhance Wantage Market Place, while improving walking, wheeling and cycling.

Officers from the county council have since been working with the local community to explore how space could be redesigned to the make the town centre a better place to spend time for shopping, leisure or business. There is also a key desire to support business by improving loading facilities. 

Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “It was wonderful that we received such a wealth of feedback and inspiration from so many people last year. I am delighted to see how this has been realised in a draft design to support better active travel opportunities and create a vibrant, welcoming, and accessible town centre in Wantage, which is safer for residents and visitors.

"We want this plan to truly reflect local community needs and ideas, as well as support an increase in the size of the market and enable more community events.

“I am very much looking forward to hearing how people find the designs and what adjustments can be made. We are working hard to make sure the final designs are not only practical but also accessible for everyone.”

From 12 noon on Wednesday 10 June 2026, people can take part in an online survey on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The consultation will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 8 July 2026.

The online survey will also be supported by two drop-in events for members of the public to find out about the project and speak to the team in person:

• Saturday 13 June 2026 – 10am - 4pm at The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BX
• Tuesday 16 June 2026 – 5pm - 8pm at The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BX

Feedback will help to identify any possible amendments that should be incorporated into the final design. The improvements will be delivered in two phases – construction on the West End is expected to begin in Autumn 2027, while the Market Place construction is anticipated to start once funding has been secured.

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Quiet lanes are designated roads where motor traffic is restricted to make it safer for people to walk, wheel, cycle, wheel and horse ride. By removing through traffic, quiet lanes can reduce vehicle numbers and speeds, lower the risk and severity of collisions, and make minor roads feel calmer and safer. Access is maintained for residents, farmers, businesses and emergency services.

Picture: Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Tim Bearder on Shepherd's Pit Lane

Several quiet lanes already exist in Oxfordshire, and the new approach in Oxfordshire is an enhancement to existing Department for Transport policy, going beyond traditional signage-based lanes to achieve the safest outcomes.

New lanes will only be introduced where there is strong local support, including from parish and county councillors, for the measure and a suitable alternative route for motor traffic.

Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Quiet lanes are about making sure local roads work for the communities that live there, not as cut-throughs for traffic they were never designed to carry. 

“This new approach will help us to prioritise walking, wheeling, cycling and horse riding, and give us a clear and consistent way to provide quiet lanes where there is strong local support. We will use evidence to make sure schemes are safe, effective and sensitive to their surroundings. By piloting schemes first, we can get them right before any permanent decisions are made.

“I look forward to working with parish and town councils and local councillors on this locally led and innovative programme.”

Oxfordshire’s new quiet lanes will prioritise physical measures supported by reduced speed limits, typically to 20mph.

All new schemes in the pilot will include:

• physical measures to prohibit through traffic, such as gates and bollards
• quiet lane signage
• speed limit changes

Overall journey times for drivers are usually only slightly affected because suitable alternative routes must be available.

The council will now work with parish and town councils and local councillors to identify and pilot new sites.

Each scheme will be subject to statutory consultation, which will allow measures to be tested in practice, evidence to be collected and designs refined before any permanent decisions are made.

More information

• The term “quiet lane” is often used to describe a road where signage alone indicates suitability for walking, wheeling and cycling. However, evidence shows that sign only approaches do not reliably reduce traffic volumes or speeds. For more information visit TRL's website.
• Quiet lanes also connect bridleways with public rights of way, benefitting horse riders.
• All newly proposed quiet lanes schemes will be assessed using a standard countywide framework considering safety, traffic levels, availability of alternative routes, environmental benefits and community support.
• Pilot schemes will be delivered using experimental traffic regulation orders (ETROs) and will be subject to statutory consultation.
• The quiet lanes programme is funded through a county council capital allocation.
• The council will invite parish and town councils and local county councillors to express an interest in the scheme and identify any suitable local routes.

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The Oxfordshire County Council project will create a more welcoming public realm that encourages more people to visit and spend time in the town centre, makes walking, wheeling and cycling easier and more pleasant for everyone, and complements the town’s history and character. It supports the existing traffic arrangement on Witney High Street and Market Square.

The scheme will provide:  

• new seating areas, trees and planting
• resurfacing of approximately 2,000m2 of existing footways and creating over 1,000m2 of new footway space
• 10 marked disabled persons’ parking places
• flexible loading arrangements for businesses in the town centre
• a new, additional bus stop for community transport. Taxi access will be permitted in the shared space after 5pm on weekdays and after 2pm on Saturdays, with a 16-metre taxi bay provided at all times.
• a new traffic priority arrangement for the High Street/Welch Way junction including a central island to support cyclists making right turns. This will help to make road users' intentions clearer at the junction, making it safer. 

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “The Witney High Street project makes effective use of the town centre space to accommodate multiple users. It has developed over a long period of time, with several rounds of consultation and construction is due to start in May.”

Construction is due to start in early May 2026 and be completed in November 2026. The works will be undertaken in phases, starting on the western side of the street, with traffic movements restricted to southbound only during this phase.

Works will then then switch to the eastern side of the street when traffic will only be permitted northbound on the High Street and Market Square between the Corn Street and Welch Way junctions. 

Safe pedestrian and wheelchair/mobility-aided access as well as access to the shops, food outlets and businesses will be maintained throughout the works.  

While bus stop and taxi rank locations will be maintained when possible, during some phases of the works, bus stops will need to be relocated to Langdale Gate and Welch Way, with the taxi rank temporarily relocated outside The Angel Inn on Market Square. 

There may be short periods where some loading and disabled persons' parking places on the High Street and by the Market Square may not be available. Appropriate areas for loading during each phase of the works will be communicated to businesses with regular updates provided. 

Shoppers can continue to park in the Woolgate car park near the Market Square and in Marriott's Walk. A site compound for the works will be set up in Zone G of the Woolgate car park, with long stay parking bays relocated to adjacent areas of the car park. 

The final phase will be the installation of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to help reduce the number of non-exempt motor vehicles going through the restrictions on the High Street and Market Square.

The council is hosting a drop-in information event where members of the public can view the final designs for the project and learn about the construction programme. This will take place on Wednesday 29 April, 2pm - 7pm, at the Witney Corn Exchange.

Background information on the project and plans showing the relocation of services during the works is available on the council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire.

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The appointment is the second of three contracts to be awarded to construct the scheme, which will provide vital transport infrastructure to reduce congestion.

The project will enable more reliable journey times, improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity, support new employment sites and housing in and around Didcot, and help facilitate new and enhanced bus services. The Clifton Hampden Bypass section will re-route traffic on the A415, around the village of Clifton Hampden.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “The A415 is a busy road that experiences a large amount of through traffic and congestion on the A415 to A4074. It runs right through Clifton Hampden, including past the village primary school. This bypass will completely transform that, moving traffic onto a new road to the north of the village. 

“I’m very pleased that we’ve successfully appointed a contractor to provide this much needed bypass.”

The bypass will provide a new single carriageway road, with segregated shared walking and cycling facilities, between the A415 at Culham Science Centre and the B4015 Oxford Road to the north of Clifton Hampden.

A new roundabout at the western end of the road will provide access to Culham Science Centre and Culham railway station. New junctions will be provided to the east of the new roundabout and the existing A415 as well as at the northeastern end of the new road.

Andrew Henry, GRAHAM Contracts Director said: “GRAHAM’s latest appointment by Oxfordshire County Council reflects our ongoing partnership with the local authority. We are pleased to have been appointed to deliver this important infrastructure scheme, which will play a key role in improving connectivity in and around Didcot.

"At GRAHAM, we bring a strong track record of delivering complex infrastructure projects, and we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Oxfordshire County Council to successfully deliver this scheme and create lasting benefits for the region."

Pauline Schaffer, Director – Infrastructure Funding, Homes England, said: The appointment of GRAHAM by Oxfordshire County Council is another major step forward in delivering vital transport improvements for Didcot and the surrounding areas.

“Homes England’s investment through the Housing Infrastructure Fund is helping to bring forward the Didcot infrastructure scheme, unlocking much needed new homes and economic growth for the local area.”

Enabling works, including site clearance, archaeology investigations and utility diversions, are already underway. Main construction is expected to start in the Spring, and last approximately two years.

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Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet today adopted its latest movement and place plan for the area. It outlines 13 objectives and accompanying actions to create long-term transport strategy aspirations for the area.

They prioritise people walking, wheeling, cycling and using public transport over private car use. 

Bicester is a historic market town, surrounded by villages set in beautiful countryside. It is home to the world-renowned shopping destination Bicester Village and innovation at Bicester Motion.

Currently 58,700 people live in Bicester and its neighbouring villages, but this is expected to rise to 66,100 by 2030. Further growth is expected by 2050, highlighting the need to address challenges such as congestion, air quality, rural accessibility, walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure and pressure on public transport.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “Oxfordshire is embarking upon sustainable and positive change – placing people, communities and places at the heart of this decision making.

“The movement and place plans, including one for Bicester and its surrounding villages, will be key to this. They reflect the needs and aspirations of our communities, help to protect our natural environment and deliver the homes, businesses and leisure facilities that our communities need and enjoy.”

The plan’s objectives include: 

• Creating a comprehensive walking, wheeling and cycling network that is coherent, direct, safe, comfortable and attractive by providing high-quality routes, improving lighting and surface quality, and reducing severance caused by busy roads and rail lines.
• Public transport improvements including better bus frequencies, improved interchanges and long-term rail enhancements, for example exploring the opportunity for a new station in Ardley.
• Supporting economic growth and innovation, harnessing opportunities to provide sustainable mobility and healthy living. 
• Protecting nature and the environment, with a focus on improving public spaces and strengthening community identity. 

The plan’s vision received strong support during a public consultation.

Cllr Roberts added: “This area has received several planning applications which are likely to bring enormous changes so these plans will be regularly updated to reflect this.”

There are 12 proposed movement and place plans for Oxfordshire that the council will be looking deliver over the next year or so. They will act as supporting documents to the council’s wider local transport connectivity plan, which was adopted in 2022. 

In January, cabinet approved a movement and place plan for the Science Vale area, covering Wantage and Didcot, surrounding villages and the employment sites at Culham Campus, Harwell Campus and Milton Park.

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Oxfordshire County Council has now formally entered into a contract with VolkerFitzpatrick to build the Didcot Science Bridge section of the Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure (HIF1) scheme on behalf of the council.

The scheme will provide vital transport infrastructure to reduce congestion and enable more reliable journey times, improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity, and support new employment sites and housing in and around Didcot.

The project includes four sections that incorporate improvements to existing roads, the construction of new roads, new walking and cycle routes, and will help to facilitate new and enhanced bus services.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “I’m very pleased that we have reached the stage where we have appointed VolkerFitzpatrick to build an important section of the scheme.

“This means work will start soon on this transformative infrastructure development. It will offer more sustainable travel options in and around Didcot and provide opportunities for more direct, faster and more reliable bus routes. It will also improve road safety and support the creation of new jobs and economic growth in the local area.”

The construction contract will include creating a dual carriageway along the A4130 east of the A34 Milton Interchange and a new single carriageway bridge across the railway line and Milton Road.

The dualling of the A4130 will repurpose the existing carriageway, using the current southern ditch to create a central reservation and adding two new lanes to the south. The existing A4130 carriageway will travel eastbound towards Didcot and the newly constructed lanes will travel westbound towards Milton interchange.

The three-span Science Bridge will cross over the existing A4130, the Great Western mainline railway, and Milton Road. The road will continue through the former Didcot A Power Station connecting back into the A4130 north of Purchas Road roundabout with a T-junction.

Paul Lilley, Strategic Projects Director, VolkerFitzpatrick commented: “We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver the Didcot Science Bridge, a key component of this transformative infrastructure programme.

“Our team brings extensive experience in delivering complex civil engineering projects, and we look forward to working closely with Oxfordshire County Council and its partners to create infrastructure that will improve journey times, enhance sustainable travel options, and support future growth across the region.”

Pauline Schaffer, Director – Infrastructure Funding, Homes England, said: “The appointment of VolkerFitzpatrick represents a major step forward in delivering vital transport improvements for Didcot and the surrounding areas.

“Homes England’s investment through the Housing Infrastructure Fund is helping to bring forward the Didcot infrastructure scheme, unlocking much‑needed new homes and employment space for the local area.”

Enabling works, including site clearance, archaeology investigations and utility diversions, are already underway. Main construction is expected to start in the Spring, and last approximately two years.

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Oxfordshire County Council has topped the south-east local authority active travel ratings. The council has been announced as an active travel level three in the government’s 2025 ratings. It is one of nine local authorities across England, and two in the south-east to increase its rating this year. The grading by Active Travel England indicates strong local leadership and support, with a substantial active travel network for walking, wheeling and cycling in place.

As part of this grading, Oxfordshire will benefit from an increase in funding to spend on projects to improve pedestrian/mobility-aided and cycling infrastructure and opportunities. The total funding awarded over a four-year period from 2026 will now be more than £20 million.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This is absolutely brilliant news. It marks clear recognition of our efforts to deliver on an effective long-term network that connects people’s opportunities within the county not only for easier walking, wheeling and cycling, but also for better bus and rail travel.

“A crucial part of securing this rating is that local people are choosing active travel options that work for them. I am exceptionally proud of our county and steps we’ve taken to incorporate more activity into everyday life.

“The funding awarded is a significant investment into making Oxfordshire greener, fairer and healthier – enabling us to improve people’s travel choices and create a healthier, more accessible and attractive county. Opening the door to new businesses and jobs, economic success and increased opportunities.”

The government active travel capability ratings are graded from zero to four, helping councils to better visualise and work towards delivering excellent sustainable transport networks across the country. A key requirement is that they provide safe, high-quality walking, wheeling and cycling support. Together, this helps the UK to achieve its objectives for 50 per cent of all local journeys in towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030.

In the announcement letter received by the county council from the government, Active Travel England assessors were impressed with the quality of the submission and recognised work by the council to improve provision in Oxfordshire. Like many local authorities in the country, the county council was previously graded at a level two – showing visible local leadership and support, with emerging network delivery.

Achieving this recognition supports the county council’s  strategic plan 2025 - 28. In particular it will contribute towards the county’s targets to create better spaces for residents and visitors in town centres and work with transport partners towards a countywide integrated rail and bus offer.

Ends

Notes

• Local authorities are given a rating between 0-4 (with 4 being the highest level). A breakdown of each rating can be found below:
  • Level 0 – Local leadership and organisational capability for active travel is not obvious, no significant plans are in place, and the authority has delivered only lower complexity schemes.
  • Level 1 – Some local leadership and organisational capability with basic plans and isolated schemes that do not yet form a plan for a coherent network.
  • Level 2 – Strong local leadership and organisational capability, with clear plans that form the basis of an emerging network with a few elements already in place.
  • Level 3 – Very strong local leadership and organisational capability, comprehensive plans, and a significant network in place with a growing number of people choosing to walk, wheel and cycle.
  • Level 4 – Established culture of active travel with successive increases in walking, wheeling and cycling, underpinned by a dense integrated network in place and highly supportive policies to give more people the choice to walk, wheel or cycle.
• Measures in Oxfordshire’s strategic plan 2025 - 28 set out how the county council will achieve a greener, fairer and healthier county. This is complemented by the central Oxfordshire travel plan and the council’s local transport and connectivity plan.

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Feedback can be provided through a survey open on the council’s digital consultation and engagement platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire until 7 January 2026. 

The draft LCWIP, which aims to improve walking, wheeling and cycling around the town, has been prepared using feedback gathered from residents, workers and visitors using a map and pin exercise, which took place earlier this year, extensive engagement with a steering group of local members and a comprehensive review of background information.

The input was used to set out proposed improvements for local walking, wheeling and cycling routes over the next 10 years. The draft plan focuses on the connection of cycling and walking routes in Wallingford, improving accessibility within the town and connections with Benson, Cholsey, Crowmarsh Gifford, Preston Crowmarsh, Ewelme, Shillingford, Warborough and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We know the importance, and the value of making our travel more sustainable. We also know how crucial it is that we make the conditions right to allow people to make more sustainable travel choices when they have the opportunity to do so.

“Improving the routes in Wallingford and surrounding areas will enable more people to use alternatives to the car or public transport to make our roads safer and our environment healthier. This plan has been drafted using valuable insights that people have taken the time to share with us and it is now our intention to take those changes forward and make these routes the best we can.

“I encourage people to look carefully at the plan and share their impressions with us, including whether the most important walking, wheeling and cycling routes and improvements have been identified and what we can do to make the plan better.”

Feedback will be used to amend the plan. The final version will be presented to the lead cabinet member in Spring 2026 for a decision on if this can be formally adopted as council policy. If adopted, this will support future funding bids to improve walking and cycling in the Wallingford area.

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The Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure scheme will transform travel and transport in the Didcot area by providing more sustainable travel options in and around the town, as well as reducing congestion in the surrounding villages and improving air quality and noise levels.

The project includes four highway sections that incorporate dualling the A4130 between the Milton Interchange and Didcot, a new bridge over the railway line, a new bridge over the River Thames between Didcot and Culham and a bypass of Clifton Hampden village.

The project will facilitate new and enhanced bus services and will also feature 19km of new walking and cycleways. It will provide opportunities for more direct, faster and more reliable bus routes and improve pedestrian, cycling and wheeling connections.

Early-stage works currently underway include:

• Erection of temporary fencing, including tree protection measures
• Archaeological investigations
• Vegetation and site clearance to facilitate archaeological activities
• Set up of main compounds and site offices
• Utility diversions

Main construction is expected to start in early spring 2026.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “After nearly ten years in development, I am very excited to see the scheme approaching a key milestone – the start of construction.

“The work here will provide opportunities for more direct, faster and more reliable bus routes and improve pedestrian, cycling and wheeling connectivity.

“This will help encourage a shift from private car travel to more active and sustainable kinds of travel which are better for everyone, and a new crossing over the River Thames will help improve public transport journey time and reliability, by offering more resilience for public transport, from flooding.

“The Science Vale is a significant area of economic growth and is a "hot spot" for enterprise and innovation that spans both South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts. It is home to a significant proportion of the region's scientific, research and development, and high technology businesses. This is an investment, mainly from central government, in the local economy.” 

With the enabling works now underway, the council is also hosting a series of drop-in information events, across Didcot and the surrounding villages, where members of the public can view designs for all the sections of the scheme and learn about the emerging construction programme. The events will also provide an opportunity for people to ask questions and discuss any concerns with the project team. Further details about the events can be found on the council's website. 

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People living in, working in and visiting Abingdon are invited to share their feedback on proposals to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and easier along the town’s East St Helen Street, in a survey open until 28 October.

Oxfordshire County Council has drafted the proposals working with local groups including UK active travel charity Sustrans. The proposals will create safer routes for walking, wheeling and cycling across the area, including facilitating two-way cycling along East St Helen Street.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “As well as providing essential safety improvements for people traveling around Abingdon, this work would connect a missing link in a major national cycle route between the Thames Valley and Wales.

“We need to reduce the number of cars on the road in Oxfordshire, and projects like this one enable healthier, more connected, and more accessible journeys. We want walking, cycling and public transport to work for more people, becoming a natural first choice.

“I encourage people to take a look at our plans and share their thoughts to help us finalise a design that works for residents.”

The plan includes improved cycling facilities on East St Helen Street and new pedestrian crossing facilities on the High Street, Bridge Street and Stert Street.

The scheme proposes:

• Two parallel cycle and pedestrian zebra crossings for the National Cycle Network 5 (NCN5) route between Abbey Close and East St Helen Street. ​
• Provision for contraflow cycling allowing travel in both directions for cyclists on East St Helen Street.
• Two zebra crossings on High Street and Bridge Street.
• Raised tables to prioritise safer walking, wheeling and cycling at the junction between East St Helen Street and Lombard Street.
• Continuous footway providing step-free crossing for pedestrians and slow-turning vehicles.
• New crossings on East St Helen Street and West St Helen Street.
• Planting and cycle parking where possible.

The location has been identified as a priority in the Abingdon Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

A survey is available on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire for people to share their feedback on the plan. The survey closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 28 October 2025.

There will be two drop-in events to view the information and chat to project officers, at Abingdon Guildhall on 11 October from 10am to 3pm and 14 October from 4pm to 7pm.

A report summarising the proposal and feedback from the survey will be presented to the county council’s cabinet member for Transport on whether to proceed at a meeting later this year. If approved, construction of the improvements would start in spring 2026. 

Notes

• The survey is available at: oxfordshire.gov.uk/eaststhelenstreet. 
  Paper copies of the survey can be requested by email to ncn5-cycleroute@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by calling the county council’s customer services team. Residents who wish to write to the council should address their envelope with Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL as one line in the middle with ‘Abingdon East St Helen St’ written in the top left corner.
• The drop-in events are open to everyone, with no need to book. Information materials shared at the events will also be published online, on Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The events will be held on:
  • Saturday 11 October 2025 from 10am - 3pm in the Old Magistrates’ Court Room, Guildhall, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JD;
  • and on Tuesday 14 October 2025 from 4pm - 7pm  in the Roysse Room, Guildhall, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JD.
• The scheme is funded by a UK Government active travel grant of £1,473,679.
• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.

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Oxfordshire residents, employees, businesses and visitors can view and comment on a draft local cycling and walking infrastructure plan for Eynsham and surrounding villages, incorporating ideas from public feedback.

Earlier this year, Oxfordshire County Council invited people to share their thoughts on issues with the existing walking and cycling provision in Eynsham and the surrounding area, and suggestions for how this could be improved. A draft plan, setting out proposed improvements for local walking and cycling routes over the next 10 years, is now available for comment until 27 October.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We know the importance, and the value of more active daily journeys for wellbeing. We also know how crucial it is that we make the conditions right to allow people the opportunity to make more active travel choices, if they can.

“In June, we asked people to let us know where their day-to-day trips could be improved by making some changes like a wider pavement, a level pathway or a better crossing point.

“These changes, however small, can join up a really effective travel network that we can all benefit from and enjoy, and help more people feel the benefit of daily activity. We are pleased to share the plan resulting from that feedback and look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.”

The plan focuses on positive changes for the village’s walking and cycling network over the next ten years, improving accessibility within Eynsham and connections with the surrounding area. This includes Begbroke, Botley, Cassington, Church Hanborough, Farmoor, Freeland, Long Hanborough, South Leigh, Stanton Harcourt, Swinford and Yarnton.

It also includes plans to link with the planned developments for Salt Cross Garden Village and West Eynsham. A survey is available on the council’s Let’s talk Oxfordshire platform until 27 October 2025.

Ends

Notes to editors

• Paper copies of the survey can be requested by email placeplanningnorth@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by calling the county council’s customer services team. Residents who wish to write to the council should address their envelope with Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL as one line in the middle with ‘Eynsham LCWIP’ written in the top left corner.
• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.
• Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIP) are designed to:
  • identify cycling and walking infrastructure improvements for future investment in the short, medium and long term;
  • ensure that consideration is given to cycling and walking within local planning and transport policies and strategies; and
  • make a case for future funding for walking and cycling infrastructure.

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Excavation and earthworks start today (3 September) as part of the construction of new south-facing slip roads at Lodge Hill, which only has north-facing slips at present. The scheme will improve connectivity to and from the north of Abingdon, avoiding the town centre and making it easier for people to choose walking, cycling or taking public transport as part of their daily routine.

Early work to set up the site and prepare the area began in May 2025. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.

To ensure the scheme is built safely, the council’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty, will undertake six different stages of work to minimise disruption.

The first stage involves removing the islands at the junction of the slip roads. This will create more space for construction vehicle access and movement. During this first stage of work, temporary overnight traffic signals will operate between 9pm and 5am on the A4183 and A34 southbound.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “The much-anticipated A34 Lodge Hill scheme will improve capacity at the junction, improving bus and car journeys, as well as making walking and cycling safer in the area.

“This is vital and much-needed investment to support growth in Abingdon. Once complete, it will reduce the amount of through traffic in the town centre, improving the environment for everyone.

“We have all campaigned for this for so long and it is wonderful news that construction has begun.”

Pauline Schaffer, Director of Infrastructure Funding at Homes England, said: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, we want to support public and private sector partners to unlock strategic housing sites where brownfield, infrastructure or land projects face delivery challenges.

“Through the Brownfield Infrastructure Land fund, we’re unlocking 820 much needed new homes in Abingdon with the construction of these key roads. Lodge Hill is a prime example of how we’re working with partners like Oxfordshire County Council to unlock the potential of new homes and regional growth in communities through improving infrastructure.”

Matt Parkes, Project Director at Balfour Beatty, said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Oxfordshire County Council to deliver the A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme. This vital infrastructure project will not only unlock regional economic growth but also transform connectivity for residents and road users. Once complete, it will provide safer, more efficient journeys and support the long-term development of the wider area.”

Details of traffic management throughout construction and more information about the A34 Lodge Hill scheme is available on the council’s website.

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The Oxfordshire County Council LCWIP, which aims to improve walking, wheeling and cycling around the town, has been developed using feedback gathered last year from residents, workers and visitors using a ‘map and pin’ exercise.

Their input was used to set out proposed improvements for local walking and cycling routes over the next 10 years. As well as focusing on the connection of cycling and walking routes in Wantage, the LCWIP looks at a wider area including Grove and East Challow.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Improving the routes in Wantage and surrounding areas will enable more people to use alternatives to the car or public transport to make our roads safer and our environment healthier. This plan has been drafted using valuable insights that people have taken the time to share with us and it is now our intention to take those changes forward and make these routes the best we can.

“I encourage people to look carefully at the plan and share their impressions with us, including whether the most important walking and cycling routes and improvements have been identified and what we can do to make the plan better.”

Feedback will be used to amend the plan. The final version will presented to the lead cabinet member towards the end of this year/early 2026 for a decision on if this can be formally adopted as council policy. This will support funding bids to improve walking and cycling in Wantage and the surrounding area.

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Last year, Oxfordshire County Council gathered feedback from residents, workers and visitors in Thame, via a ‘map and pin’ exercise to identify improvements to local travel.

Their input was used to create the draft local walking and cycling infrastructure plan, which sets out proposed improvements for local walking and cycling routes over the next 10 years and is now available for comment.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This plan has been drafted using valuable insights that people have taken the time to share with us and it is now our intention to take those changes forward and make these routes the best we can.

“I would like people to look carefully at the plan and share their impressions with us, including whether the most important walking and cycling routes and improvements have been identified and what we can do to make the plan better.”

Feedback will be used to amend the plan. The final version will presented for Cabinet Member Decision towards the end of this year and then be formally adopted as council policy. This will support funding bids to improve walking and cycling in Thame and the surrounding area.

The draft plan is available to view alongside a survey on the council’s digital consultation and engagement platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire.

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Oxfordshire County Council has today (24 June 2025) launched a four-week survey to capture people’s views and ideas.

Proposals are being made to enhance the area and improve accessibility, walking, wheeling and cycling. This follows a commitment by both Oxfordshire County Council and Wantage Town Council in 2024, to explore ways to make the Market Place more accessible and safer for residents and visitors.

Officers from the county council have been working with the local community to investigate how space could be redesigned to the make the town centre a better place to spend time for shopping, leisure or business.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “Our vision for Wantage Market Place is to create a vibrant, welcoming, and accessible space for everyone. We aim to enhance the historical charm of the market town while addressing the challenges of climate change. By improving opportunities for walking, wheeling, cycling, and using public transport, we hope to make the Market Place a healthier, friendlier and safer environment for all.

“The project is at an early stage and a design is yet to be developed. Tell us what you think and make suggestions to help us shape the project designs and goals. We would like to find out what is important to local residents and businesses and how we can make it economically and environmentally useful for future years.

“We’ll use what we learn, work with the community to develop a draft design, and come back to you for further consultation next year.”

People can take part in an online survey on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 22 July 2025.

The online survey will be supported by two drop-in events for members of the public to find out about the project and speak to the team in person:

• Saturday 5 July 2025 – 10am - 4pm

Vale & Downland Museum (Barn Gallery), 19 Church Street, OX12 8BL

• Wednesday 9 July 2025 – 5pm - 8pm

Wantage Methodist Church (Chapel area), 20 Newbury Street, OX12 8DA

A further public consultation on the draft design will take place in 2026, with construction expected once further funding is confirmed. 

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The affected section is off Abingdon Road between Folly Bridge and Donnington Bridge, with further works taking place near Isis farm house. Work is expected to start in late June or early July and last until late September 2025.

A combination of signed diversionary routes and local towpath width reductions will be in place until the repairs are completed.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This work forms part of our commitment to invest in the county’s blue-green infrastructure and it will safeguard this towpath for many years.

“We realise how popular this towpath is, both as a sustainable route into the city as well as for the many walkers who enjoy strolling along the riverside.

“If there was any way of carrying out these repairs without having to close this stretch, we would do so. But the safety of users and workers is our priority and so we ask people to be patient and observe the closure.”

The repair work aims to restore damaged stretches of the towpath along the river and safeguard the riverbank. The work involves the use of machinery and extensive reconstruction, which is why sections of the towpath must remain closed.

About 120 metres of the affected stretch will be subject to piling work, which involves structural piles being driven into the ground to provide strength where the soil is weak or unstable.

For their own safety, people are asked to adhere to the signed diversions and observe obstructions along sections with width restrictions.

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Oxfordshire County Council last week (24 April) approved local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIPs) for Chipping Norton and Woodstock.

The LCWIPs set out how to improve the rural market towns’ walking and cycling networks, reducing the reliance on single occupant motor vehicles to help cut congestion between residential areas, the historic town centres, schools, public open spaces and local services and facilities.

Paul Fermer, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Environment and Highways, said: “These plans are designed to provide well planned, joined up connectivity and real choice for how people move around their communities. We are particularly keen to encourage independent, healthy travel choices among school children and young people.

“In rural areas such as these, cars are essential for many people to get around, and we’re not trying to stop that. We just want to make it safer and more convenient for more people to walk or cycle for short journeys, or as part of longer journeys combined with using public transport in these towns and beyond.

“These LCWIPs will help achieve a culture of walking and cycling, as they have done elsewhere around the county. This can create  thriving, healthy, inclusive and climate sensitive communities, where improvements enhance the environment that makes Woodstock and Chipping Norton great places to live, work and visit.”

The decisions bring the number of LCWIPs in Oxfordshire up to nine, following on from Oxford, Didcot, Bicester, Abingdon, Witney, Banbury, and Kidlington – and more are planned.

The approval of the plans is expected to make it easier for the council to negotiate funding from developers and the government to deliver improvements.

The latest LCWIPs were developed and amended through discussions with local councillors at parish, town, district and county levels and feedback from public consultation. They provide a long-term strategy for safe, convenient and well-connected walking (including wheeling) and cycling networks that are accessible for people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds.

The aim is for these networks to connect people to where they want to go, including improving routes to access public transport.

Hundreds of specific improvements are proposed in the LCWIPs, including the provision of crossings, narrowing junctions, implementing dropped kerbs and tactile paving, and creating more space for cycling. It is hoped the improvements identified in the plan can be delivered by 2035, subject to funding.

In Chipping Norton, the A44/ A361 New Street junction and London Road are the highest prioritised areas for improvement due to the positive level of impact they would bring.

In Woodstock, reducing the speed limit on part of the A4095 between Bladon and Hanborough to reduce the danger to cyclists and pedestrians is listed as the top priority.

The plans, which were developed following government guidance, will be reviewed every two years to ensure they reflect local needs. The level of change in cycling and walking numbers will be monitored and modifications made if necessary.

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Residents in and around Bicester are being asked to share feedback on proposals to better link new cycling and walking routes between the town centre and existing and proposed residential and employment areas to the west.

Oxfordshire County Council has worked with local cycling groups to draft plans aiming to create a new two-way cycleway along the full length of Middleton Stoney Road, between Howes Lane and King’s End.

The plans also include a continuous new pavement on the south side of Middleton Stoney Road, between Whitelands Way and King’s End, along with new zebra crossings for both cyclists and pedestrians.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “I encourage people to look at the proposals and help us understand the impact they’ll have.

“More options for local journeys made by walking, wheeling or cycling helps us enjoy what’s around us unfettered by the stress of traffic queues and finding parking space. We can feel healthier and engage more easily with our local environment.

“We’d like to hear how cycling, walking and wheeling around Middleton Stoney Road works for you, and how the proposals could support that, or where they may need some changes. This will help to shape the final plans and give me a detailed picture of what matters for you when they are considered for approval.”

The proposals are for:

• A new two-way cycleway separated from motor vehicles and pedestrians along the full length of Middleton Stoney Road.
• A new pavement on the south side between Whitelands Way and King's End.
• New pedestrian/cyclist zebra crossings along the road and signalised crossings at the roundabout with Shakespeare Drive.
• Associated minor works along the road to improve safety for people walking and wheeling.
• Traffic restriction on Chalvey Road junction with Villiers Road to improve safety

Middleton Stoney Road is a key strategic route linking the centre of Bicester with existing and planned housing estates and businesses on the west of the town, and surrounding villages including Chesterton and Middleton Stoney.

The designs will follow the latest national cycling standards with cyclists separated from motor vehicles on the road for their safety and to encourage new and inexperienced cyclists of all ages and abilities.

The project is funded by the government’s Active Travel Fund as part of grants received in 2022 to improve walking and cycling in the county.

Plans are available to view and a survey can be completed on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s Talk Oxfordshire. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 25 March 2025.  

Feedback will help inform a county council cabinet decision on whether to approve the work. Subject to approval, the proposed works would be carried out later in 2025.

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The road will connect into the existing A4130 Didcot Northern Perimeter Road / Abingdon Road / Ladygrove priority junction.

The Oxfordshire County Council scheme aims to:

• Provide an alternative to traffic passing through Didcot town centre and help to reduce congestion
• Connect to existing, planned and proposed walking and cycling routes in the area
• Support planned growth in housing and employment in the Science Vale

Plans include a signalised northern junction that will introduce a new (fourth) arm to the existing A4130, Abingdon Road and Ladygrove carriageways, together with crossing provision for pedestrians and cyclists at the junction.

The scheme also includes a new link that will connect the northern junction with the southern section of the Didcot NPR3 scheme, which is to be constructed / delivered by Bloor Homes as part of their Ladygrove East development.

A 5.6m wide shared footway/cycleway will be included on western extent for the entire route (segregated from traffic), with zebra crossings to be installed at appropriate locations.

The southern section will connect onto the A4130 Hadden Hill carriageway via a new roundabout arrangement.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “Didcot is growing and will continue to do so. This scheme will help to keep everyone moving efficiently by encouraging them to use the A4130 as a ring road around the town.

“The proposed works aim to improve connectivity around Didcot without the need to travel through the town centre. This will also help to make it easier for people to choose walking, cycling or taking public transport for short journeys.

“I encourage people to look at the proposals and help us understand the impact they’ll have. We’d like to hear how our proposals could work for local residents or where they may need some changes.”

The scheme is being funded through a combination of infrastructure grant funding from Government, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding and Section 106 contributions from developers.

A public consultation will run between 12 noon on Tuesday 25 February 2025 and 11.59pm on Tuesday 25 March 2025. It will showcase the preliminary design details and proposed layout arrangements. The online consultation will also be supported by two drop-in events, at the Ladygrove Community Centre in Tamar Way, Didcot,  for members of the public to see the proposals in person:

• Thursday 6 March 2025 – 2.00pm - 8.00pm
• Thursday 13 March 2023 – 2:00pm – 8:00pm

Members of the public can view the online consultation and complete a survey by visiting https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/didcot-npr3-scheme

Feedback will help to inform the designs that will be submitted in a planning application later this year. Subject to planning approval, the proposed works would start in summer 2026 and be completed during summer 2027.

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The proposal to create a series of ‘greenways’ – high-quality paths in urban or natural areas prioritised for pedestrians and cyclists – comes from a joint project being developed by Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and the University of Oxford.

The aim is to create a network of safe, convenient and well-connected cycling and walking routes linking surrounding towns, villages and future economic development sites with Oxford city centre and other key employment, cultural and economic locations.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “Many people who want to walk or cycle more, for their health, wellbeing or to save money, are often put off by having to share the space with motor vehicles. Some of our towns and villages have no safe options at all, despite their close proximity to Oxford.

“That’s why the Oxford greenways project is so important. I would urge as many people as possible to take part in the consultation so that we can prioritise and design routes where they will make the biggest difference.”

The consultation runs until Tuesday 18 March. To take part, visit Let’s talk Oxfordshire.

Councillor Louise Upton, Oxford City Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Cycling Champion, said: “In order to encourage more people to walk and cycle into Oxford for work, studying, entertainment or shopping, we need to provide them with safer and more accessible routes.

“This engagement is a chance for pedestrians and cyclists to share their feedback on six proposed greenways. These new routes are designed to promote healthier and safer options as people travel across Oxford and Oxfordshire.

“I encourage everyone interested in cycling to participate – whether you're an experienced cyclist or someone who wants to start cycling.”

A first set of greenways is proposed to connect Oxford with areas including Woodstock, Otmoor, Wootton near Abingdon, Kingston Bagpuize, Kennington, Botley and Wytham.

David Prout, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Planning & Resources) at Oxford University, said: “Safe walking and cycling routes between Oxford and its surrounding towns and villages would be a massive boost for everyone living and working in Oxford. We are very pleased to have been part of this study and hope its recommendations will be implemented.”

The Oxford greenways project began in 2020 but was put on hold due to the pandemic. Feedback from the latest consultation and other engagement events will help inform the development of a delivery plan.

Initial funding is in place for design of the first set of greenways. However, route construction and further design development of the proposed network – which could improve links to around 60 towns and villages – would require successful funding bids and grant allocations.

Greenways schemes will be developed alongside other improvements to cycle routes around the county, including National Cycling Network routes, Oxfordshire’s Strategic Active Travel Network, and area and corridor travel plans within the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan.

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A survey is open from today (18 February 2025). Oxfordshire County Council has worked with local cycling groups to draft plans aiming to create a new cycleway together with improvements for walking and wheeling on London Road (A41) between the Launton Road junction and Rodney House Roundabout.

London Road is a key route linking the centre of Bicester with the new housing estates at Graven Hill and Wretchwick Green, the Symmetry business park, and surrounding villages including Ambrosden and Arncott.

The designs will follow the latest national cycling standards with cyclists separated from motor vehicles on the road for their safety and to encourage new and inexperienced cyclists of all ages and abilities.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Homes, jobs and businesses will always need good access choices. Joining the dots to make it easier to get safely between key destinations in your neighbourhood is an important consideration for now and for future proofing flexible travel as the town grows.

“More options for local journeys made by walking, wheeling or cycling helps us enjoy what’s around us unfettered by the stress of traffic queues and finding parking space. We can feel healthier and engage more easily with our local environment.

“We’d like to hear how cycling, walking and wheeling around London Road works for you, and how the proposals could support that, or where they may need some changes. This will help to shape the final plans and give us a detailed picture of what matters for you when they are considered for approval.”

The proposals are for:

• A new two-way cycleway on the west and south-west side of London Road between the Ploughley Road and Launton Road junctions. The cycleway will merge with the existing layouts at the Rodney House Roundabout and the new Pioneer Roundabout.
• New pavement sections to improve directness and convenience for walking the route, assisted by new zebra crossings for both cyclists and pedestrians.
• 30mph speed limit along London Road extended to include the section south of Talisman Road up to Rodney House roundabout to further improve safety especially at the new crossing points.
• Resurfacing the existing cycle path linking to the A41.

The project is funded by the government’s Active Travel Fund as part of grants received in 2022 to improve walking and cycling in the county.

Plans are available to view and a survey can be completed on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 18 March 2025.  

Feedback will help inform a county council cabinet decision on whether to approve the work. Subject to approval, the proposed works would be carried out later in 2025.

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Residents and people who travel around Woodstock are being asked to help shape a draft plan to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier, safer and more enjoyable around the town.

Oxfordshire County Council is asking for views about what highway improvements are needed to provide Woodstock and neighbouring parishes with a high-quality active travel network. Improvements could include better cycleways or added pedestrian crossings to make it easier to access and move around the town.

People can view the draft plan and area maps, and have their say on Let’s talk Oxfordshire, the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform until 5 March 2025.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We want to make it easier for people to choose walking, wheeling or cycling for more local journeys. Active travel as part of our daily lives can be a way to save money, keep healthy, feel well and improve air quality. It’s a win on so many levels.

“Valuable local feedback will help us identify the best solutions for Woodstock – with safe, convenient, and well-connected walking, wheeling and cycling networks for people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds, connecting them to where they want to go.”

The draft Woodstock and surrounding areas local cycling, walking and infrastructure plan (LCWIP) has been developed together with local partners. It proposes a joined-up network for active travel that links the places people need to visit regularly – including schools, shops, places of work and medical centres.

It aims to help make walking, wheeling and cycling an easy everyday choice for short journeys around the town or combined with using public transport for longer journeys. This will support a thriving, healthy, inclusive and low carbon communities where improvements preserve and enhance the local environment and make Woodstock and the area around it a great place to live, work and visit.

Once finalised – with feedback from local people helping shape the plan, the LCWIP will be an essential tool, helping to get funding to deliver active travel improvements in the town and surrounding area.

Ends

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

Notes to editors

• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.
• Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIP) were introduced by the Department for Transport, alongside the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, for local authorities to “develop strategic plans to improve conditions for cycling and walking, in order to support increases in travel on foot and bicycle”.
• You can find out more about Oxfordshire County Council's approach to LCWIPs online.

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The Oxfordshire County Council scheme will provide new west-facing slip roads on the A40 at the Shores Green junction, enabling traffic from east and north-east Witney to access the A40 without needing to route through the town centre or the A40/Ducklington Lane junction.  

When completed, the new slip roads will alleviate traffic on Bridge Street and across Witney town centre. There will also be improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities in the Shores Green area to improve safety and support more active travel.  

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: "The start of construction on the A40 - Witney scheme is an exciting step towards improving travel in Witney and along the A40 in this area. This scheme will make a real difference to people's lives, reducing congestion and improving air quality. We're delighted to be working with our partners to deliver this infrastructure."  

The scheme is expected to be complete by spring 2026.  

As part of the initial works, the A40 will be closed for one night between Ducklington and the Shores Green Junction from 8pm on 9 February 2025 to 6am on 10 February 2025. This closure is necessary to safely install barriers and signs.   

The closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs. Information on traffic management is available on the county council’s website.  

The county council has engaged extensively with residents, businesses and partners on the scheme, incorporating their feedback into the scheme's design and delivery.  

Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We are really pleased to see work progressing on the slip road and will continue to work closely with the county council on further improvements to the A40.” 

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Oxfordshire County Council has officially entered into contracts with GRAHAM Construction Ltd and AECOM to deliver stage two of the Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure (HIF1) scheme.

GRAHAM is undertaking the detailed design of the Culham river crossing and the Clifton Hampden bypass elements of the scheme while the detailed design of the Didcot Science Bridge and the widening of the A4130 is being led by AECOM. 

Segregated two-way pedestrian and cycle facilities will feature along the entire route.

Detailed design is underway, with construction expected to start in early 2026.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “GRAHAM has worked on similar projects around the country and have a high commitment to social value and giving back to the local area. Their bid was successful as they understood the scheme and its complexities and how the four elements need to tie together.

“AECOM has been involved in the project since its inception and have supported us through the planning application process. Their knowledge of the scheme will be invaluable in progressing the project towards construction.

“This transformative infrastructure development will offer more sustainable travel options in and around Didcot and support the creation of new jobs and economic growth in the Science Vale region.”

Andrew Henry, GRAHAM Contracts Director said: “GRAHAM has been working closely with the council and key stakeholders since April 2023 through early contractor involvement. This collaborative approach has enabled us to develop the detailed design for these significant infrastructure projects while actively engaging with third-party stakeholders such as Thames Water and Openreach to coordinate necessary utility diversions. As we deliver this transformative project, we will focus on working closely with the local community to create a lasting impact that benefits everyone”.  

Mark Saunders, AECOM Director for Streets, Surface transportation, Aviation and Ports said: “Since our involvement in the concept and planning stages of the scheme began in early 2019, AECOM is delighted to continue working with Oxfordshire County Council on the detailed design phase. Leveraging our in-depth knowledge of the scheme, we are committed to collaborating with stakeholders to deliver the best possible outcomes for Didcot and the surrounding area.”

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People living or travelling in Chipping Norton are being asked to help shape a draft plan to make walking, wheeling, and cycling easier, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone.

Oxfordshire County Council has worked with Chipping Norton Town Council and local residents, businesses and community organisations to draft the active travel plan for Chipping Norton. The plan will set out how to improve the town’s walking and cycling network over the next 10 years, identifying where things like cycleways and pedestrian crossings should be added or improved.

People can view the draft plan and area maps, and have their say at: letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/chipping-norton-lcwip until 27 February 2025.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Getting around our local neighbourhoods should be simple and enjoyable and there should be multiple options for making safe journeys to where we want to get to.

“We want to improve the travel network to help people have better opportunities for walking, wheeling, or cycling. It brings great benefits for health and wellbeing while helping to improve air quality in the county.

“I’m looking forward to feedback to help us understand where things work, where there are challenges and tailor the plan so that is the best fit for residents. We also realise that walking or cycling is not necessarily an option for everyone and would like to hear from people who find it more difficult to move around the area.”

The plan’s vision for Chipping Norton is a thriving town with good air quality, where walking for local trips is the norm for everyone, where possible. This is supported by safe, accessible, and connected walking and cycling routes between residential areas, the historic town centre, schools, public open spaces and local services and facilities.

The final version of the plan, incorporating amendments reflecting the feedback received, will then go through a process at Oxfordshire County Council that will allow it to be formally adopted as council policy. This will help get funding to improve walking and cycling in Chipping Norton and the surrounding area.

Ends

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

Notes to editors

• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.
• The active travel plan for Chipping Norton is a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). LCWIPs are designed to:
  • identify cycling and walking infrastructure improvements for future investment in the short, medium and long term
  • ensure that consideration is given to cycling and walking within local planning and transport policies and strategies
  • make a case for future funding for walking and cycling infrastructure.

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The road opened to all users on 18 December 2024.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “The Benson Relief Road is a central piece of new infrastructure for the village and a vital tool to reducing through traffic in the village centre. It incorporates measures to encourage cycling and walking locally, which helps reduce car usage in the village, lessening congestion, local emissions and adverse air quality.”

Construction of the section of the road that connects to Oxford Road, and the creation of a flood compensation area, was undertaken by Milestone Infrastructure on behalf of the council and took 13 months to complete.

Archaeological surveys of the site during the early part of construction uncovered an ancient well, while wildlife-friendly structures (mammal shelves and an otter tunnel) and a wildlife wetland habitat were installed to protect and improve the overall local biodiversity.

As part of the decommissioning of the site compound, two electric vehicle charging points and a defibrillator have been donated to Benson Parish Council and relocated to Benson parish hall for local residents to use. Members of the project’s construction team also gave their time to help build a pergola for the Benson Community Gardens.

Councillor Judy Roberts added: “I am delighted to say that we have delivered our section of the road on time and on budget. Through the fantastic efforts of our project and construction delivery teams, we have also saved approximately 203 tonnes of carbon. This equates to 127  return flights from London to New York.”

Carbon saving activities on the scheme included using recycled material where possible on site, reusing material, such as fill or topsoil across the scheme, and minor design changes to reduce the impact of the scheme on the local environment. 

The northern section of the road is already complete and parts of the middle section are currently under construction. These are being delivered by the various housing developers on site. The entire route is anticipated to be open to all traffic in 2026.

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Planning approval for the HIF1 Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure project was granted by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, following a planning inspector’s report recommending that the scheme proceed to construction. The scheme was subject to a 21-day conjoined public inquiry earlier this year.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said: “The approval of this application is fantastic news, as securing planning consent is a key milestone in proceeding with this project.

“This work is a big step towards tackling congestion in Didcot and the surrounding villages. It will transform travel in the Didcot area for current and future residents as well as commuters, reduce congestion in the surrounding villages, and improve air quality and noise levels.”

The £332 million project is fully funded. Successful discussions with government in early 2022, and again in early 2024, resulted in additional grants from Homes England. Approval was also given to underwrite up to £30m from Oxfordshire County Council’s capital budget in February 2022, while Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership contributed a £10m capital investment generated from Enterprise Zones’ business rates retention.

With planning consent now in place, work continues to finalise detailed designs, and confirm and appoint contractors.  The decision on the statutory orders needed to secure all of the land for the scheme is awaited, but private negotiations with landowners continue to progress.

Construction is anticipated to start on site in early 2026 and last approximately two years.

Councillor Roberts added: “This project is key in providing real sustainable travel options for people in and around Didcot. It will enable more reliable journey times for buses and other vehicles and improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity.

“The investment in this infrastructure will also support more jobs in the local area in new and existing employment sites. I’m delighted that we can now progress towards construction.”

For more information about the project visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/didcot 

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Oxfordshire County Council and St. Modwen, the master developer for the Kingsgrove housing development, have worked together to construct the new route that extends between the A417 east of Wantage, and the A338 north of Wantage. This provides easier travel for both residents of the Kingsgrove housing development and visitors to the area.

A three-metre wide path for walking and cycling runs along the length of the road, while the original entrance to the Kingsgrove development is now for pedestrians, cyclists and buses only.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “Wantage is a historic market town that has seen, and will continue to see, significant growth in much-needed new homes and associated community facilities. The need for this scheme was established long before planning approval was obtained, and I am delighted that the entire route is now open.

“King Alfred Way will encourage active travel through the provision of high-quality pedestrian and cycle facilities, together with opportunities for travel by bus. It is also expected to help reduce congestion and noise levels, and improve air quality, within Wantage town centre.

“The opening of the road is reflective of the commitment, hard work and successful collaboration between the county council and St Modwen – together with suppliers working on behalf of both parties.”

Thomas Snell, Development Manager at St. Modwen, said: "We’re incredibly proud to have played a central role in delivering the new road, a project that not only enhances local infrastructure but also supports our growing Kingsgrove community.

“By improving connectivity and prioritising sustainable travel options, this road reflects our commitment to creating thriving, future-ready places where people can live, work, and enjoy their surroundings.”

Officially opened by Olly Glover, MP for Wantage and Didcot and Councillor Iain Cameron, Deputy Mayor of Wantage, the link’s new title – King Alfred Way – commemorates Wantage’s royal history. The name pays tribute to King Alfred the Great, who was born in Wantage in 849, and who is the inspiration for the name of the Kingsgrove community – referencing Alfred’s apple orchards, which once covered the area.

Olly Glover, MP for Wantage and Didcot said: “Residents in Wantage and beyond have been eagerly awaiting the opening of this road for some time, following some delays. I am pleased to see it open and hope it will be of benefit to all road users in the coming months and years.”

Ends

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From today (8 May) until Wednesday 5 June, Oxfordshire County Council is asking for people’s views on the Woodstock Road Sustainable Travel Improvements Scheme.

The council is proposing changing the travel direction of an existing bus lane, as well as a number of active travel improvements to help improve bus journey reliability and make the road safer for everyone using it.

The feedback gathered will help inform a county council cabinet decision on whether to approve the work.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “I encourage people to look at the proposals and help us understand the impact they’ll have. There is a clear link between active travel and improved physical and mental health. Children who walk or cycle to school will be healthier, have a more active social life, do better in the classroom and live longer. Sitting in a traffic jam harms everyone, inside and outside the car.

“Woodstock Road is used by many people travelling by bus, bike and on foot or with mobility aids, both from within Oxford and travelling to and from other areas. By investing now and providing space and facilities for making journeys other than travelling by car, we can better manage traffic in the coming years with planned growth and housing.”

The proposals cover the area between St Giles in Oxford city centre and the Wolvercote Roundabout (A40). The proposals are designed to work with other measures to improve and encourage journeys made by walking or wheeling, cycling and public transport.  

The project has two phases. Phase one involves a bus lane change, which proposes to remove part of the 24-hour southbound bus lane between Wolvercote (A40) and Squitchey Lane and replace it with a like-for-like northbound bus lane on the other side.

Phase two is focused on the southern end of the Woodstock Road and covers a series of active travel (cycling, walking and wheeling) priority measures for the Woodstock Road including:

• New and improved side road crossings.
• An extension of the shared use, off-road cycle path on the western side of Woodstock Road.
• The installation of solar studs along cycle lanes throughout Woodstock Road to improve visibility.
• A new zebra crossing on Woodstock Road between Observatory Street and Bevington Road.
• Localised sections of improvements to the condition of footway/off-road segregated cycle lanes.
• Various road marking amendments.
• A new full time bus stop clearway on the east side of the Woodstock Road.
• The relocation of a marked parking bay outside Belsyre Court.

People can take part in an online survey on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s Talk Oxfordshire. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Wednesday 5 June 2024.

Subject to approval by the council’s cabinet, the proposed works could start this summer.

The project is funded through the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal.

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Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet today approved the strategy and action plan entitled Oxfordshire – Safe Roads through Vision Zero to 2030.

The document builds on the council’s adoption of Vision Zero in 2022, a concept that originated in Sweden in the 1990s as a road safety approach. The ambition is to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Oxfordshire’s roads to zero by 2050, with targets of a 25 per cent reduction by 2026 and 50 per cent by 2030.

It also follows a public consultation on the proposed strategy, which received more than 1,300 responses.

Paul Fermer, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Highways and Operations, said: “The case for Vision Zero is clear. Between 2017 and 2021, a total of 128 people were killed on Oxfordshire roads, and a further 1,130 were seriously injured. This has a devastating impact on individuals and families, and on our communities in general.

“Vision Zero starts with a simple premise, that no human being should be killed or seriously injured as the result of a road collision, whatever mode of transport they are using.

“Although there has been a long-term downward trend in reported road collisions and injuries in Oxfordshire, recent figures show they are now on the increase. We need to take a zero tolerance attitude to having anyone else killed or seriously injured on our roads.”

Each year, on Oxfordshire’s roads, there are:

• an estimated 30,000 collisions of all types;
• approximately 1,250 reported injury collisions; 
• approximately 30 deaths, 245 serious injuries and nearly 1,250 slight injuries reported.

The Vision Zero programme aims to ensure the highway network is safely designed, implemented and maintained with Vision Zero at the heart of all decision making. The programme has a £4 million capital budget for measures delivered by 2026, plus £250,000 of revenue funding.

Vision Zero focuses on a whole safe system approach, rooted in the belief that every death reflects a human failure in the system. This ensures that the programme is not just a technical solution but also encourages a behaviour change and cultural shift towards a more human-based approach to road safety.

This safe system approach encompasses five aspects; safe roads and roadsides; safe vehicles; safe speeds, such as the council’s 20mph programme; safe road users; and the post collision response, from the initial onsite first aid through to the analysis and reviews of road safety incidents.

Better use of road safety collision data will be vital in achieving Vision Zero. The council will look at near miss data to understand the flow of traffic at junctions and review the causes of slight incidents before they become a serious or fatal collision, as well as analysing actual collisions.

The data will be used for identifying collision hot spots, prioritising maintenance at these sites and improving road safety infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. It will also be used to identify road users’ behaviours and other road safety factors that contribute to collision hot spots. Enforcement, education or publicity activity can then be carried out to help reduce the risks.

Mr Fermer added: “We do not underestimate the challenges of implementing Vision Zero. It is a challenge that requires political and social commitment, including technical expertise across other councils and Thames Valley Police, and financial investment.”

Since Vision Zero was adopted – prompted by the deaths of two female cyclists in Oxford in the space of a few weeks in early 2022 – work has been carried out at The Plain roundabout in the city aimed at making it safer for vulnerable road users, including cyclists.

Work is also planned at many other sites around the county to tackle problems such as improving road safety at dangerous junctions, cycle safety, turning conflicts and to create safer routes to school.

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Oxfordshire is to benefit from £2.384 million awarded by Active Travel England – the UK government agency responsible for making walking, wheeling and cycling the preferred choice for everyone to get around in England.

The funding has been awarded as part of the fourth phase of the active travel bidding process (active travel tranche 4). Oxfordshire County Council has previously been awarded grants of £600,000 from phase one, £2.98m from phase two and £10.4m from phase three. 

As with previous active travel awards, the money is to be invested in supporting specific projects intended to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in the county. 

Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Environment and Place, said: “Active travel is essential to help us tackle traffic congestion and air quality across the county, and to make it a natural first choice for short journeys. We must make it work for people. We are committed to transforming people’s options for how they can get around in Oxfordshire without having to rely on private car journeys, and making walking or wheeling and cycling easy, safe and accessible for everyone.

“We have worked closely with local people and partner authorities to identify and plan for these improvements and I am delighted that we can now focus on delivering them so that everyone can benefit from them.”

Active Travel England and the county council have agreed that the funding is to be provided to support delivery of the following proposals and projects:

• Abingdon – Improvements to cycle ways in the heart of the town between Bridge Street and St Helen’s Wharf joining up the gap in National Cycle Network Route 5. This project is developed in partnership with national charity Sustrans.
• Witney – Improve the surface and lighting of the path running from Oxford Hill to Madley Park, a key part of a longer east-west route across Witney. Seating and wayfinding signage will also be provided along the path.
• Countywide – additional investment in delivering the ongoing school streets programme so that it can be implemented with more schools who would like to benefit from a school street.
• Countywide – provision of secure cycle parking for staff and visitors at Oxfordshire hospitals.

More information on the proposals will be published as plans are confirmed.

The funding is expected to be received imminently.

Ends

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

Notes to editors

•  Improving access to active travel is a part of the Local Transport and Connectivity plan for the county.

Oxfordshire County Council has approved the Didcot Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which will set out how to improve the town’s active travel network, reduce the reliance on private motor vehicles and cut congestion.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We want walking and cycling to become the everyday choice for short journeys or as part of longer journeys combined with using public transport in Didcot and beyond.

“The Didcot LCWIP will help achieve a culture of walking and cycling. This can create  thriving, healthy, inclusive and climate sensitive communities, where improvements enhance the environment that makes Didcot a great place to live, work and visit.”

Approval was given on 14 December by Cllr Gant at a delegated decisions meeting for the cabinet member for transport management.

The LCWIP will provide a ten year plan for the delivery of cycling and walking interventions to maximise the uptake of active travel to help meet the travel needs of the growing populations of Didcot and surrounding areas. It will be reviewed and updated regularly.

There are a number of barriers to more people walking and cycling in Didcot. Key to this is a lack of a joined-up network of walking and cycling routes that improve road safety and make walking and cycling for local journeys more attractive as an alternative to private motor vehicles.

The LCWIP intends to tackle these, with potential improvements including:

• New and improved crossings, including over the River Thames, and junction redesigns for walking and cycling.
• Removal or modification of barriers on walking and cycling routes to improve accessibility.
• On-carriageway cycling improvements.
• Provision of segregated cycle tracks and additional high quality cycle parking.
• Permissions for cycling on some routes where it is not currently permitted.
• Footway widening and public realm improvements.
• New and improved walking and cycling routes between Didcot and other key local destinations outside the town.

Didcot lies at the heart of Science Vale, the UK’s leading area for science, technology, innovation and research, and there is some overlap between the Didcot LCWIP network, the Science Vale Active Travel Network (SVATN) – previously known as the Science Vale Cycle Network (SVCN) – and the Strategic Active Travel Network (SATN). The three projects are complementary, and care has been taken to incorporate the relevant sections of the SVATN and the SATN into the LCWIP proposals.

The Didcot plan is the seventh LCWIP to be approved in Oxfordshire, following on from Oxford, Bicester, Abingdon, Witney, Banbury, and Kidlington.

Formally approving the plan is expected to make it easier for the council to negotiate funding from developers and the government to deliver the improvements it proposes.

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Notes to editors

The full list of approved changes and mitigations is:

• Approve the replacement of the bollards in Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. 
• Approve exemptions for emergency services, waste and postal vehicles, taxi and private hire vehicles through the restrictions enforced by ANPR on Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road. The use of ANPR and/or exemptions will be reviewed prior to and during the trial of the traffic filters.
• Approve the introduction of bollards and/or planters at the junction of Jeune Street and St. Clement’s, and make Jeune Street two-way south of the restriction.
• Relocate the residential parking bay in Marston Street.
• Move the filter location on Bullingdon Road to the southwest to a point to the east of the junction with Hurst Street.
• Approve the investigation of measures to improve public transport journey times across the city and resource the interventions.

Taxis and private hire vehicles are considered part of the public transport network in Oxfordshire, alongside buses, scheduled coaches and rail. Our transport user hierarchy encourages the development of schemes that prioritise walking, cycling and public transport use. More information, can be found on pages 37 - 38 of the county council’s local transport and connectivity plan.

LTNs are designed to work with other measures including the planned traffic filters trial. Traffic filters are intended to reduce traffic levels in Oxford by managing the use of certain roads in the city by private cars. The trial will begin when Network Rail’s work to improve Oxford Rail Station is completed (expected to be autumn 2024).

The camera will be used to fine motor vehicles using Cowley Road that make a prohibited left turn on to Iffley Road. Despite the existing restriction, many motor vehicles are still turning left.

Cyclists will continue to be permitted to make this left turn.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, approved the measure on Thursday, and said: “This will be an extra measure to help improve safety at The Plain for all road users, especially the most vulnerable such as pedestrians and cyclists.

“This is a very busy roundabout and the banned left turn is a road safety hazard, which increases the risks for all users. There is a good deal of support for the installation of a camera to deter this.”

The camera is being funded by the council’s Vision Zero programme, set up to try to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from road traffic collisions in Oxfordshire by 2050.

Changes to The Plain were prompted by the death of a cyclist in March 2022, which led to  safety improvements in November 2022 as well as loading restrictions brought in earlier this year.

Motor vehicles will continue to be required to drive around The Plain and then take the Iffley Road exit.

Motorists who contravene the restriction will receive a £70 penalty charge notice, discounted to £35 if paid within 21 days.

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Notes to editors

• LTNs are areas where motorised traffic is prevented from taking shortcuts through a residential area. They are part of the county council’s local transport and connectivity plan and are intended to make residential streets safer and more comfortable for walking, wheeling, and cycling.
• The east Oxford LTNs were installed as a trial in the Divinity Road, St Clement’s and St Mary’s areas in May 2022. Their trial is due to finish on 19 November 2023. 
• The east Oxford LTNs were consulted on between March and June 2021, May and November 2022 and 5 June to 20 July 2023. More details can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website. 
• The county council’s cabinet will consider reports from public consultations, monitoring and evaluation information, including transport and air quality data, feedback from stakeholders, and contributions from speakers at the meeting, in making its decision on 17 October. 
• The full list of proposed changes and mitigations is:
  • Approve the replacement of the bollards in Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.
  • Approve exemptions for emergency services, waste and postal vehicles, taxi and private hire vehicles through the restrictions enforced by ANPR on Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road. The use of ANPR and/or exemptions will be reviewed prior to and during the trial of the traffic filters.
  • Approve the introduction of bollards and/or planters at the junction of Jeune Street and St. Clement’s, and make Jeune Street two-way south of the restriction.
  • Relocate the residential parking bay in Marston Street.
  • Move the filter location on Bullingdon Road to the southwest to a point to the east of the junction with Hurst Street.
  • Approve the investigation of measures to improve public transport journey times across the city and resource the interventions.
• Taxis and private hire vehicles are considered part of the public transport network in Oxfordshire, alongside buses, scheduled coaches and rail. Our transport user hierarchy encourages the development of schemes that prioritise walking, cycling and public transport use. For more information, read pages 37 - 38 of the county council’s local transport and connectivity plan.

Oxfordshire County Council has adopted the Banbury Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which sets out how to improve the town’s active travel network, reduce the reliance on single use motor vehicles and cut congestion.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “Banbury is one of many towns across the country that is becoming swamped by traffic. This council has made it clear that one of our priorities is to reclaim space for people to use their environments in a way which is healthy, sustainable and safer, and the Banbury LCWIP will help us achieve that.

“More than 100 residents and groups took the time to engage with us on this plan, which is an excellent example of the importance of consultation. It changed considerably thanks to local knowledge and people responding to the proposals.”

Approval was given on 20 July by Cllr Gant at a delegated decisions meeting for the cabinet member for highways management.

The Banbury LCWIP is a 10 year plan encompassing the urban area of Banbury and its links to the surrounding villages of Adderbury, Bloxham, Broughton, Great Bourton, Little Bourton, North Newington, Middleton Cheney and Wroxton.

The ambition of an LCWIP is to create a cycling and walking network that is accessible for all and where everyone feels safe when they are cycling and walking.

The plan identifies the key routes and destinations where improvements for cycling are needed, such as:

• segregated cycle routes wherever possible
• traffic free routes
• speed reductions to 20mph
• protected space for cycling
• additional road crossings
• reviewed and improved junctions.

Improvements for walking focus on key zones, most notably in Banbury town centre, including:

• wider footways
• improved road crossings and
• removal of physical barriers.

The Banbury plan is the sixth LCWIP to be approved in Oxfordshire, following on from Oxford, Witney, Bicester, Abingdon and Kidlington.

Implementing the plan is expected to make it easier for the council to negotiate funding from developers and the government once the design stage of the project begins.

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• More information about the east Oxford LTNs, including previous consultation and engagement, is available on the county council’s website at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/eastoxfordltns 
• LTNs are areas where motorised traffic is prevented from taking shortcuts through a residential area. LTNs are implemented through an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO), a legal process which runs for a maximum of 18 months. The three trial east Oxford LTNs cover the Divinity Road, St Clement’s, and St Mary’s areas and were installed under an ETRO in May 2022. A consultation followed for six months. 
• More information about Oxfordshire County Council’s central Oxfordshire travel plan can be found on our website oxfordshire.gov.uk/centraloxontravelplan 
• More information about Oxfordshire County Council’s local transport and connectivity plan can be found on our website oxfordshire.gov.uk/localtransportplan

The Oxfordshire County Council project, delivered by Milestone Infrastructure, was aimed at improving off-road pedestrian and cycle links between residential areas in the west of Oxford and the city centre. 

It connects major city centre sites including Westgate, Oxpens and Osney Mead with some of the city’s largest residential areas via a sustainable travel route.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We welcome the completion of this project, which will encourage more cycling and walking by providing improved and largely traffic-free connections to Oxford city centre. We know that more people want to use active travel if it is made more attractive and barriers preventing it are removed.”

The Willow Walk scheme was designed to improve the bridleway between North Hinksey Lane and Ferry Hinksey Road. The improvement work involved:

• Replacing the Willow Walk footbridge with a wider deck for pedestrian and cyclists.
• Widening and resurfacing of the existing bridleway.
• Underground utility diversion to enable the bridge replacement works to proceed.
• Reconstruction of an existing culvert near the footbridge.

The scheme was delayed by rain and high water levels but the work is now completed and open to the public.

The Willow Walk project ties in with a new shared cycle path on King George’s Field, providing an off-road path for cyclists and pedestrians linking into the existing cycle network to Oxford from the west of the city.

The work, by Oxford City Council, created a new convenient shared cycle and pedestrian path at King George’s Field, as well as the widening and improving of the existing cycle path to ensure enough space for both cyclists and pedestrians.

The shared, unsegregated pathway provides a quick, convenient, and spacious route for cyclists and pedestrians travelling between Botley and the city centre.

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Oxfordshire County Council has adopted the Witney Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which will set out how to improve the town’s active travel network, reduce the reliance on single use motor vehicles and cut congestion.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “We want walking and cycling to become the everyday choice for short journeys or as part of longer journeys combined with using public transport in Witney and beyond.

“The LCWIP will help achieve a culture of walking and cycling. This can create a thriving, healthy, inclusive and climate sensitive community, where improvements enhance the environment that makes Witney a great place to live, work and visit.”

The council’s vision is that by 2041 Witney will have safe, convenient and well-connected walking (including wheeling) and cycling networks that are accessible for people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds. These networks will connect people to where they want to go, including excellent routes to access public transport.

More than 100 specific improvements are proposed in the LCWIP, including pedestrian and toucan crossings, footpath links, segregated cycle tracks, resurfacing and lighting.

The plan will be reviewed approximately every two years to ensure that it reflects local needs. The level of change in cycling and walking numbers will be monitored and modifications made if necessary.

Approval was given on 23 March by Cllr Gant at a delegated decisions meeting for the cabinet member for highways management.

The Witney LCWIP follows the implementation of town-wide 20mph limits last year, and comes ahead of aspirations to make Witney High Street a more accessible and pleasant environment for people to walk, cycle and spend time in. These will complement the measures to reduce through traffic on High Street and Market Square delivered in 2021 as part of the Active Travel Fund.

The Witney plan is the fifth LCWIP to be approved in Oxfordshire, following on from Oxford, Bicester, Abingdon, and Kidlington. Consultations have taken place for another in Banbury.

Implementing the plan is expected to make it easier for the council to negotiate funding from developers and the government once the design stage of the project begins.

Oxfordshire County Council has adopted the Abingdon Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which will set out how to improve the town’s active travel network, reduce the reliance on single use motor vehicles, and cut congestion.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “This plan really sums up this council’s ambitions. LCWIPs are practical ways of helping people to reduce their reliance on cars for short journeys, and help the council meet our objectives of tackling climate action, improving air quality, and creating a healthier Oxfordshire.

“Many different community groups were involved in helping us put this plan together, and we are sure this approach will help it be a success. Nowhere in Abingdon is more than one and a half miles from the town centre – that’s roughly a 30 minute walk or a 10 minute cycle ride – so we look forward to more people using active travel over the next few years.”

The proposals include more than 100 suggestions for the following types of improvements:

• new and improved crossings for walking and cycling
• junction redesign to prioritise walking and cycling
• removal or modification of barriers on walking and cycling routes to improve accessibility
• provision of additional high-quality cycle parking
• on-carriageway cycling improvements such as wider cycle lanes
• provision of segregated cycle tracks, some of which will require reallocation of highway space from motor vehicles to active travel
• permissions for cycling on some routes where it is not currently allowed
• new crossings for walking and cycling over the River Thames and River Ock
• footway widening
• provision of new and improved walking and cycling routes between Abingdon and other key destinations outside the town.

These infrastructure improvements are intended for development over a 10 year period and will help to increase active and sustainable travel and reduce the use of private motor vehicle journeys.

The Abingdon plan is the fourth LCWIP to be approved in Oxfordshire, following on from Oxford, Bicester, and Kidlington. Consultations have taken place for others in Witney and Banbury.

Implementing the plan is expected to make it easier for the council to negotiate funding from developers and the government once the design stage of the project begins.

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Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet today adopted the plan, which includes hierarchies of road users and priority for roadworks in line with its Local Transport and Connectivity Plan and its commitment to climate action.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We face a huge challenge in meeting residents’ travel needs as the population and associated infrastructure grows, while avoiding the economic damage caused by severe congestion and enabling a zero-carbon Oxfordshire by 2050.

“We have a once in a generation opportunity to make a significant shift away from private car use, towards more flexible working patterns and greener travel choices – reducing pressure on the road network and creating the space for local traffic improvements.

“Essential to achieving our priorities and policies is a transport system that enables the efficient movement of people and goods, while promoting greater use of sustainable travel modes.

“This network management plan explores the challenges that we face and explains how we will manage Oxfordshire’s highways to deliver an effective, sustainable transport system for people and businesses.”

Key objectives of the plan include minimising disruption, providing quality information to the travelling public, supporting active travel, improving journey time reliability, and maximising the effective use of road space.

The user hierarchy prioritises walking and wheeling, cycling, riding and public transport ahead of motorcycles, shared vehicles such as car clubs, and cars, vans, and lorries.

Network management will also make decisions to support road safety, especially following the council’s adoption of the vision zero strategy to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from road traffic collisions in Oxfordshire by 2050.

There are approximately 30,000 accidents on Oxfordshire’s roads, 1,700 reported injuries – including 300 of a serious nature – and 30 deaths, with a higher proportion of serious incidents than many local authority areas due to a higher amount of rural road links on the network.

The hierarchy for the priority of roadworks is:

• emergency repairs
• works of national importance (such as HS2 and East West Rail)
• county council new and improved infrastructure projects
• digital connectivity infrastructure projects
• large public events
• major utility infrastructure and works
• small scale utilities
• highway maintenance activities.

The county council receives more than 35,000 applications to work on the roads each year – 87 per cent of which come from utility companies – with approximately 600 live sites on the network at any one time.

The county council is responsible for the maintenance of more than 4,500km of roads in Oxfordshire. As in other parts of the UK, the condition of the road network has deteriorated over recent years as government funding has not kept up with need.

The report warns that the potential impact of housing and jobs growth on the county’s transport networks could see traffic on many junctions exceed capacity by 2031, with severe delays on many routes, especially the A34, A40, A338 and A4074.

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An award-winning active travel study carried out by the University of Bristol and Oxfordshire County Council has now been published.

The qualitative study was carried out between May and October 2022 to learn more about active travel priorities – travel that involves some physical activity – and what might help people adopt more active habits. The study focused on cycling and walking for commuters and older people aged 65 to 75 living independently in Bicester and Witney.

The study received the “outstanding contribution to public health or social care research” award from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHCR) at the 2022 Thames Valley Health Research Awards last year.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “We know that road, pavement and cycle path improvements are essential to promoting active travel, but people face many other barriers to cycling and walking.

“This study provided an important opportunity for local people to explain in detail what would make a difference to them and it will help Oxfordshire County Council to improve the support we offer and the network changes we provide.”

The study looked at groups of people who had been identified as having the best opportunity to take up more active travel. Bicester and Witney were chosen because most key destinations in people’s daily travel are a walkable, or wheelable distance.

As a key element to the study, participants discussed active travel improvements for Bicester and Witney that would encourage them to walk or wheel and cycle more. 

In Bicester, these changes include improving walking, wheeling and cycling connectivity from the west of the town to Bicester centre, with an off-road shared-use footway and cycleway, better signage and reduced speed limits.

In Witney, recent works have aimed to improve walking and cycling between west and east Witney, going through the town centre. The works include wider crossings, better signage and reduced speed limits.

Other initiatives include ‘bike library’ cycle borrow schemes, free bike repairs and training, and walking and cycling groups. Further improvements in both towns will be pursued as funding becomes available.

The research study, ‘Active Travel in Oxfordshire – a qualitative study of active travel amongst commuters and older adults living in market towns’ was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Teams (PHIRST) scheme.

You can read more about the study on the PHIRST website

Related news from Oxfordshire County Council:

•  Have your say on updated plans to improve walking and cycling in Witney (06.12.2022)
• £10.4 million awarded for active travel improvements in Oxfordshire (19.05.2022)
• Oxfordshire’s public health research recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (03.08.2022)

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Oxfordshire County Council has started its second and final consultation for the Banbury Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which will set out how to improve the town’s active travel network over the next 10 years.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “We are grateful to the people who took part in our consultation in May, and we would urge them – and others – to get involved again to see the plans in full, including more details about the proposed walking routes.

“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 make these proposals a success. We want as many people as possible to take part so we can develop a better-connected active travel network.”

People can take part in the consultation, including the full document and maps of suggested routes within Banbury and connections to neighbouring villages, at letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/banbury-lcwip until 26 February.

Anyone wanting more information can attend a drop-in session at Banbury Town Hall on Wednesday 1 February, 11am - 5pm.

LCWIPs help councils identify where transport infrastructure – such as cycleways and pedestrian crossings – should be implemented or improved to enable residents to cycle and walk safely and conveniently over the next 10 years. They also increase the chances of securing funds from the government and developers for active travel infrastructure.

If approved, the Banbury plan would follow on from LCWIPs in Oxford, Bicester, and Kidlington, while others are proposed for Abingdon and Witney.

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Oxfordshire County Council has started its second consultation for the Witney Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which will set out how to improve the town’s active travel network over the next 10 years.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “We are grateful to the people who took part in our previous consultation, and we would urge them – and others – to get involved again to see the plans in full, including more details about the proposed walking routes.

“Our aim is to prioritise active travel, such as cycling and walking, over road capacity for cars. Projects like this Witney 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 make these proposals a success. We want as many people as possible to take part so we can develop a better connected active travel network.”

People can take part in the consultation, including the full document and maps of suggested routes within Witney and connections to neighbouring villages, at letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/witney-lcwip until 20 January.

LCWIPs help councils identify where transport infrastructure – such as cycleways and pedestrian crossings – should be implemented or improved to enable residents to cycle and walk safely and conveniently over the next 10 years. They also increase the chances of securing funds from the government and developers for active travel infrastructure.

If approved, the Witney plan would be the fourth LCWIP to be developed in Oxfordshire, following on from Oxford, Bicester, and Kidlington, while others are being proposed for Abingdon and Banbury.

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Plastic bollards installed as a part of the experimental low traffic neighbourhoods (LTN) scheme in east Oxford are to be replaced by steel ones, Oxfordshire County Council has announced.

Funding of £100,000 has been allocated to install new steel bollards at all LTN filter sites in east Oxford. Oxfordshire County Council has consulted with emergency services and kept them informed of decisions.

The decision was made following unprecedented levels of vandalism to the plastic bollards initially installed as a part of the trial. The steel bollards will continue to allow exempt vehicles to pass through.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Highways Management said: “This is a key moment in the continuation of the LTN trial in east Oxford. Ongoing damage has come at a significant cost to both the council and Thames Valley Police in both time and money, with potentially serious consequences for people’s safety. Damage to the bollards and persistent use of the low traffic neighbourhood streets as through-roads is not only a risk for the safety of road users but impacts monitoring data quality, which could delay the decision on the trial.”

Rob MacDougall, Chief Fire Officer for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The Fire and Rescue service is aware of the plans to replace the existing plastic bollards for the east Oxford LTNs with steel ones. Emergency services will still be able to remove these metal bollards to gain access when needed. When the existing bollards have been damaged by being driven over or vandalism to the locking mechanism, it has taken up valuable time when we have needed to gain access.”

Supply and installation of the steel bollards is expected to take up to twelve weeks, during which time Oxfordshire County Council will continue to replace damaged or removed bollards.

Anyone can share their views on the east Oxford LTN trial by completing the consultation survey before the end of this month, or by contacting the team by email.  All feedback received will help to inform the decision made by the Council on whether to make the trial filters permanent.

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

Oxfordshire County Council will be carrying out the work in Upton as part of the Chilton Road cycling scheme, a project seeking to make a National Cycle Network route (544) along Chilton Road. The seven week project is due to start on Friday 30 September and finish on 19 November.

The work will include the formal completion of the closure of Chilton Road to motorised traffic. The road has been closed to motorised vehicles since August 2020 on a temporary basis and the move have been predominantly well received.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “This is the first scheme in southern Oxfordshire that puts walking and cycling above motorised users. By closing off a road to motorised vehicles, we are setting the tone for delivering similar schemes in the area in the future.

“We are delighted to be able to help bring this section of the National Cycle Network up to standard and also help to improve links with the Science Vale Cycle Network routes.”

Funding for the project has come from the Department for Transport through walking and cycling charity Sustrans’ Paths for Everyone programme, using an active travel grant from the government, and the council’s accessibility and road safety fund.

Sarah Leeming, Director for South of England at Sustrans, said: “We’re so pleased to see this project coming to fruition. Making this a permanent active travel route will mean that people in the area can continue to make use of a safer and more enjoyable space to travel under their own steam, by foot, wheel or pedal. 

“This project, which is part of our Paths for Everyone programme, brings us one step closer to a National Cycle Network that is safer and more accessible for everyone.”

Work will involve improving the carriageway on London Road between the junctions of Station Road and Chilton Road and the installation of a new crossing on the A417 London Road between the Station Road and Chilton Road junctions.

The installation of permanent barriers at the Hagbourne Hill end of Chilton Road and a locked gate near the location of the current chicane are also planned to provide access for landowners. Relevant safety signage, including signs to highlight the changes, will also be implemented.

Temporary traffic signals will be in operation throughout the seven weeks. Station Road will be closed for the duration of the work and London Road will also be closed for resurfacing work on 18 - 19 November.

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Damage to traffic filters around east Oxford, as well as the Cowley area where trial LTNs were installed in 2021, is creating significant safety concerns, as well as a substantial cost to the taxpayer. The costs for damage to bollards and planters has now topped £12,000 since the measures were launched on 20 May.

The council will continue to make safe and reinstate all damaged bollards that have been forcibly knocked down or uprooted and is currently in the process of replacing filters on Leopold Street, Howard Street, Rectory Road, Southfield Road and Divinity Road. 

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Highways Management at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The safety of everyone using and living on these roads is our utmost priority. The damage that has been done has not only created confusion and increased the risk of traffic incidents, but it may also prevent emergency services being able to gain access if the mechanisms allowing the bollards to be lowered are impacted. 

“Vandalism of this kind is a serious criminal offence and I would urge anyone who is thinking of damaging any of these filters to think twice.

“I understand that some community members are voluntarily creating human barriers to vehicles trying to enter LTN areas through damaged filters. But I would again urge that people are mindful of their own safety and wait for bollards to be restored where they have been removed.

“We are committed to listening to all views on these experimental measures and the right way to make your voice heard is to take part in our public consultation. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to voice their views on these trial measures, which cannot be implemented without engagement with those affected.”

An LTN is an area where motorised traffic is prevented from taking shortcuts through a residential area by traffic filters. The aim of this is to create quieter and safer streets which have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of local residents and encourage people to make more local journeys by bus, by cycle or on foot.

Everyone who wishes to express an opinion on the measures can do so by responding to the council’s public consultation at letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/east-oxford-ltns-2022. 

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

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s new Cabinet Member for Highways Management, has today urged people to give the newly implemented east Oxford low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) time to settle, as he acknowledges some residents’ frustration at the changes.

Oxfordshire County Council implemented three trial LTN areas in east Oxford on Friday 20 May, with planters and bollards installed to close some roads to all through traffic, apart from emergency vehicles and waste services traffic.

 The aim of the measures is to improve road safety and air quality, reduce congestion and encourage walking and cycling as an alternative to car travel.

 Councillor Gant said: “We understand that the first few days of the east Oxford measures have presented challenges for some residents and businesses. Their implementation requires people to make changes in their already busy lives and has coincided with road works in the area, which has meant traffic has moved more slowly. I acknowledge the frustration felt as these new measures bed in.

 “We believe that in the medium and longer term, and alongside other measures in the city, schemes like these will deliver benefits to us all, including safer streets, cleaner air, and an overall change in people’s travel habits, to more sustainable modes of transport.

 “We need to change the way we travel into and within Oxford – and the county council remains committed to reducing the number of car journeys people make across Oxfordshire. The effect that cars have on our climate, combined with the levels of congestion we currently experience across the county, mean that the status quo is not an option.

 “However, I know in the short-term, change can be hard, and I also understand that we must ensure that those who need to use vehicles can get where they need to go. Work is ongoing to monitor the progress of the measures and we will ensure that information about alternative routes is readily available.

 “I would encourage people to give this time, work with us to make recommendations for improvements, and above all fill in the consultation survey so that your feedback is heard. These are experimental measures that are being trialled and we welcome all views to help us deliver the right outcome for our communities.”

 The three trial LTNs cover the Divinity Road, St Clement’s, and St Mary’s areas and were installed under an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO). The trial will last for a minimum of six months.

 The public consultation is now open seeking residents’ views on the measures. Anyone can provide feedback on the proposals before 30 November 2022, by visiting letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/east-oxford-ltns-2022 or by requesting a paper copy.

 Changes to LTNs can also be made during the initial six-month trial, at which point the public consultation period will reset and continue for a further six months.

 At the end of the consultation period, the county council will assess the impact of the east Oxford LTNs, including any feedback received, data collected on traffic and air pollution and levels of walking and cycling in these areas. The council will then decide whether to confirm, cancel or extend the ETRO for up to 12 months longer to allow for further consultation and monitoring.

Ends

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

•  The east Oxford LTN consultation can be accessed by visiting https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/east-oxford-ltns-2022 
• Details of alternative routes for drivers to take now the east Oxford LTNs are in place are available on the county council’s website at https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/active-travel/east-oxford-ltns 
• For more information about previous consultation and engagement, changes made to controlled parking zones and detailed plans including location details for individual traffic filters, visit Oxfordshire County Council’s website at https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/active-travel/east-oxford-ltns 
• An LTN is where traffic filters (planters and bollards) are installed in a residential area to improve safety, air quality and congestion levels. These traffic measures help to reduce motor vehicles taking shortcuts through the residential area. The roads within the LTNs will be closed to all through traffic, apart from emergency vehicles and waste services traffic, pedestrians and cyclists.
• LTNs are implemented through an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO), a legal process which runs for a maximum of 18 months. An ETRO consultation takes place for at least six months.