Urgent improvements called for on Kidlington road where cyclist killed

A university worker, 40s, was killed on the A4165 near Oxford Parkway station on February 8 when her bicycle was struck by a lorry.

Two weeks on, a letter calling on Oxfordshire County Council to make urgent safety improvements to the busy commuter route between Kidlington and the city has been signed by more than 160 people.

The letter was delivered to County Hall on Tuesday morning at 7.50am – a fortnight on from the fatal crash near Parkway.

Kidlington resident Mark Fransham, who drafted the letter, told the Oxford Mail: “Two weeks on from a fatal collision nothing has changed. There are still the same dangers on that road. It’s just an accident waiting to happen again. We really want to see some action taken soon.”

Dr Alison Hill and Mark Fransham outside County Hall with their letters calling for improvements to Kidlington road where female cyclist died

He added: “For a long time I have thought that route is not safe as it should be for cycling. I’ve always thought that, but the collision two weeks ago made me think, no, I’ve really got to do something about this.”

Mr Fransham came across the aftermath of the fatal crash on his way into Oxford.

“It was just shocking,” he said. “I cycle over that exact spot every day. It’s always been a worry of mine.

“I’ve always said to people that cycling is great – and it is – now, I think that could so easily have been me, it could have been my daughter, it could have been my wife, who both cycle. It feels very close to home.

“We are very keen to do something, not just shrug our shoulders and move on. There are things we think can be done on that route.”

He suggested that the council could use investment from nearby developments to create a segregated cycle lane. In the short-term, the speed limit should be reduced from 40mph to 30mph, better signage put up to warn drivers and the junction marked more clearly, he suggested.

“The route between Kidlington and Oxford resembles more a motorway junction than it does a residential area,” Mr Fransham said.

“My concern is you’ve got lots of lorries using that route, coming off the A34 and barrelling down that road. It’s a 40mph limit, there’s a big sweeping turn into the Parkway site. There’s really nothing there to indicate to lorry drivers – or other cars – who don’t know that area that you’re entering a residential area and it’s a main commuter route into Oxford and you’ll encounter cyclists.”

A vigil was held outside Oxford Parkway station for the cyclist who died on road. Picture: Cyclox

A vigil was held outside Oxford Parkway station for the cyclist who died on road. Picture: Cyclox

Dr Alison Hill, chairwoman of campaign group Cyclox, backed calls for a segregated cycle path. She said of the A4165 and the junction where the fatal crash happened: “It’s very hostile to people who want to cycle. Yet Parkway should be a hub and somewhere that should be easy to get to by bicycle.”

A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said: “We acknowledge the concerns of the residents and cycling community following this terrible incident and will listen to what they have to say.

“One of our priorities is to make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians to get around and we will always look at ways we can achieve this.

“We would be happy to meet with the campaigners to discuss improvements to the situation.”

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