RESIDENTS will get the chance to see what multi-million pound improvements to one of the city’s busiest routes could look like next month.

The county council wants to spend £9.1m on improvements for buses, cycling and pedestrians along Botley Road.

Government funding for the project is secure and exhibitions will soon be held in West Oxford to show people what the improvements could entail.

The plan includes proposals to improve journey times and reliability of bus services.

A continuous, safer route for cyclists using Botley Road is also planned.

That will require changes to several junctions along the route, which will mean limited access to some side roads where cyclists have been injured in collisions.

Yvonne Constance, the county council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “Botley Road is an important route which has great potential for encouraging more people onto sustainable transport.

“The corridor is a vital public transport link and also takes hundreds of cyclists and pedestrians into the city each day. If we are serious about getting more people to use sustainable transport we have to invest to make it more attractive.”

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Last July, the county council said it wanted the improved bike paths to run from Oxford Station to Cumnor, where it wants to eventually build a new park and ride.

Improvements are especially hoped for between Binsey Lane and Eynsham Road, where bike paths are in poor shape and not continuous.

Mrs Constance added: “It’s no secret that many people think improvements could and should be done to improve Botley Road for sustainable transport – and I am one of them.

“I would urge anyone who has an interest in the improvement of Botley Road to attend one of the exhibitions or look at the website.

“We will carefully take into account the responses to this consultation as we further develop our plans for improving the Botley Road.”

Work to improve Botley Road was made even more pressing after the death of Claudia Comberti, a cyclist who died in an accident there in May 2017.

A coroner ruled she died after being hit by a bus.

Her foot slipped on one of her bike's pedals and she fell into its path.

Campaigns to improve cycling safety around Oxfordshire have been run since her death.

Last year, the council admitted provision for cyclists remains of a 'low and inconsistent standard' and that it leads to 'conflict with other [road] users'.

Cycling expert Andrew Gilligan said at least £150m needs to be plugged into Oxford's cycle paths and cycling infrastructure to prevent the city's network from 'seizing up'

Exhibitions on the potential improvements to the Botley Road corridor will take place in West Oxford in June.

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The first event will be held at West Oxford Community Centre on June 5, from 4.15pm until 7.15pm. The second will be at the same community centre on June 8 from 10.30am until 2.15pm.

The final opportunity to go to a consultation event will be held at Seacourt Hall on June 12 from 4pm until 7.30pm.