Willow Walk riverside route cycling and walking project completed
Walkers and cyclists can enjoy a new riverside route into Oxford, following the completion of the Willow Walk scheme.
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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