A 'VITAL' need for new pupil places have seemingly outweighed a council's concerns about cyclists' safety outside the Swan School.

Oxfordshire County Council has admitted it has concerns about the Oxford secondary school's access road, but has given its blessing as long as developers meet a list of demands to mitigate risk.

Proposed vehicle access to the 1,260-pupil school, which would replace the current Harlow Centre in Marston, cuts across a key cycle lane along Marston Ferry Road.

Cycling groups including Cyclox and Oxfordshire Cycling Network have criticised this and instead called for an underpass, but the county council - the highways authority - has supported the school.

Its official response to Oxford City Council's consultation about the free school, which is being led by the River Learning Trust, said: "During pre-application discussions, highway officers were concerned about the impact of the proposed access on the cycle lane and encouraged the project team to explore different access points.

"Following review, it has been concluded that the most reasonable option is access off Marston Ferry Road [as proposed]."

It said a weekday traffic survey between 8am and 9am recorded 556 cyclists using the cycle lane.

The council noted these figures dropped outside of school times, and suggested most were cycling to The Cherwell School nearby.

Regarding the underpass, its comment stated: "The council requested the project team investigate a subway, to allow the cycle lane to continued uninterrupted.

"However, it would appear that the gradients on Marston Ferry Road are such that extensive ramps would be required to meet the required standards of gradients, which is undesirable."

The council listed requirements to ensure safety risk is reduced.

These include traffic wardens at peak times to make sure cyclists are given right of way, and later start and finish times, as already suggested by the school.

According to the council, Swan School leaders have said staff will only be allowed to enter and exit the site from 7.45am-8am and 5pm-6pm.

Its comment added: "The council recognises the need for secondary school places and therefore is supportive of the proposal.

"The school is vital to ensure all Oxford secondary pupils can secure a place at a school in the city."

An objection from the highways authority would likely have been a major blow for developers, and increased chances of the planning application being rejected.

Paul James, chief executive of the River Learning Trust, welcomed the county council's support.

He said: "We will be working with the county council on delivering the travel solutions that they want, while taking into account the resources available and the need to make the school a practical option for the excellent Oxfordshire teachers we hope will be looking to work for us.

"We intend to do all we reasonably can to have a traffic plan that satisfies as many parties as possible and is sustainable."

The Swan School plans to open in September 2019, having already been delayed by two years, and the city council is expected to decide on the planning application in August or September.