Oxford Road corridor

Cycle superhighway

A new 2.5 metre southbound direction cycle track parallel to the Oxford Road / Banbury Road is to be provided along the frontage of the site.

This will primarily cater for commuter movements from outside of the development, access to the Park & Ride and Parkway Station, and also facilitate longer journeys between Kidlington and Oxford City Centre. It is proposed to be segregated from the road by a new landscaped verge of approximately three metres in width – delivering a high quality and safe environment for cyclists of all abilities. Please see link to the proposed cross section.

This would require removal of the much of the existing trees and scrub along Oxford Road and its replacement. We have undertaken surveys of the trees and biodiversity as well as received detailed advice on this and the conclusion is that while a green corridor, the existing tree and scrub planting is of poor quality and has limited life. Conversely, providing a safe and high quality cycle and pedestrian environment alongside an extensive landscaping scheme that will endure and can be planted with appropriate species to maximise habitat and biodiversity gain is the best all round solution. The initial biodiversity net gain assessment taking this into account still shows the scheme can deliver up to 20 per cent net gain overall.

A northbound cycle track is proposed on the western side of the Oxford Road / Banbury Road. This is expected to be delivered by the PR6b development when it comes forward with an interim ability to maintain the existing shared cycle and footpath on that side of the Oxford Road.

The existing footway along the Oxford Road / Banbury Road will be replaced with the landscaped verge and an improved two metre footway.

Improvements to the existing footway / cycleway along the Oxford Road / Banbury Road between (and inclusive of) the Kidlington Roundabout and Cutteslowe Roundabout are being considered and, where possible, cyclists will be segregated from vehicles and pedestrians.

Improvements to the Kidlington Roundabout, including its signalisation and improvements for pedestrians and cyclists are being brought forward by Oxfordshire County Council – enabled by growth funding which has already been secured.

Christ Church is actively working with the relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that any improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure are designed to be as safe and include segregation as far as possible.