Cycling campaigners in Oxfordshire who have been fighting for an off-road cycle path on a busy road are hopeful that it may open next year.
The group Bike Safe has been campaigning for a grass verge of a 3.1 mile stretch of the A4044 between Eynsham and the western approach to Oxford to be turned into a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians.
In 2011, they made a video showing some of the hazards that people on bike or on foot face on the road.
Now, the group is hopeful that money from the Department of Transport(DfT) plus a contribution from Doric, which hopes to develop the West Way shopping centre in west Oxford, says the Oxford Mail.
It has said it will donate £80,000 to Bike Safe should the £100 million development secure planning permission in December.
Ian Leggett, chair of Bike Safe, said: “The survey of the land between Eynsham and Botley will enable us to identify where the route will go.
“If we can get planning permission sorted by the spring there’s no reason why we can’t have this completed and ready to use this time next year.”
The charity believes the 3.1 mile (5km) stretch of 50mph single track carriageway between Eynsham and Dean Court via Farmoor along the B4044 is dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.
He says that the government’s recently announced draft Cycling Delivery Plan, which invites local authorities to make “expressions of interest” over plans for infrastructure, may bring the cycle path a step closer.
“I feel more confident now,” said Mr Leggett. “I think the cycling delivery programme is a really good thing.
“The opportunity is now there for local authorities who to want to do some serious investment in improving cycling and walking.
“We have written to Oxfordshire County Council urging them to submit an expression of interest and we hope they take this great opportunity.”
David Nimmo Smith, the county council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “I would like the county to put in an expression of interest.
“We need the details of the government’s plan first but if it means funds could come in for cycling improvements then we are up for it.
“One of our officers is going to a meeting next week,” he added.
Published last month, the government's Cycling Delivery Plan received a lukewarm reception from much of the cycling community, with CTC describing it as "derisory."
Add new comment
7 comments
Paul
You are of course right. Incidentally there are kids who cycle to school along it now.
However, with the exception of the 100 souls in Farmoor in the middle of the road, anyone who wants to get to or from Oxford by bike without having to be "very vehicular" can use the alternative off road route via the A40.
It isn't that a cycle route wouldn't be better than what we currently have. I wish it was there.
But it wouldn't be high on my list of priorities for investment in Oxfordshire. It wouldn't even be top of my list for that bit of Oxfordshire - sorting out the roundabouts on the A40 and sticking in a bridge at Bablockhythe where the ferry used to be are both more important.
The Eynsham road is fine, so long as you assert yourself and don't ride in the gutter. As per the bus driver in the picture, most drivers know that they have to watch out for cyclists and pass them with space.
And if someone drives badly, you can catch them up in the traffic jams at either end and ask them to drive better.
well it fails the 8 to 80 test then... try expecting children to cycle to school and old folks to cycle to the shops along that road...
The A40 path is pretty nice. A bit narrow in places, but a handy direct way of getting out towards the Cotswolds without riding on the main carriageway.
The Eynsham road, by contrast, is definitely one to be avoided.
Of course the cheapest and simplest option - closing the road to motor vehicles completely - will never be considered. If you look on Google Maps, there are plenty of alternate major routes that vehicles could use.
If you look at the A40 it already has a path on both sides. Not sure of the quality as never used it but have regularly seen cyclists of all types using it.
this is the case all over our backwards, motoring obsessed country...
a network of safe, direct cycle paths linking Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bishop's Cleeve, Ashchurch and Tewkesbury would do wonders in Gloucestershire... and I don't count the NCN route that goes between Gloucester and Cheltenham as being fit for purpose at all, too many diversions away from a more direct route, chicanes, barriers, gates...