TEMPORARY changes to the Kidlington junction where cyclist Ellen Moilanen was killed have been welcomed by safety campaigners.
Mrs Moilanen, 44, was killed when she was involved in a collision with a lorry at the Oxford Parkway junction, Oxford Road, on February 8.
Now, Oxfordshire County Council has installed temporary measures aimed at reducing the speed of vehicles turning left towards the station.
READ MORE: Inquest opened into death of cyclist at Oxford Parkway
Currently, they consist of traffic cones and signs – although the council says the cones will be replaced with heftier water-filled barriers pending decisions over what permanent changes should be made to the road layout.
Dr Alison Hill of campaign group Cyclox welcomed the changes. She said: “We are very supportive. This is something we asked for [in the letter to the council signed by 173 people in February].
“We asked for a shortening of that junction so it would cease to be used by people speeding along up to the junction and keeping their speed up.
“Some people watched it in operation yesterday and there appeared to be some slowing down. I think it’s doing the right thing.”
Reuben College administrator Mrs Moilanen’s death on February 8 this year was the fourth cyclist fatality in Oxford since November 2020. Within weeks, on March 1, university researcher Dr Ling Felce lost her life when she was struck by a lorry on The Plain roundabout in the city centre.
Mrs Moilanen and Dr Felce’s death prompted an urgent consideration of cyclist safety in the city.
READ MORE: Letter calls on council to make improvements to Oxford Road
The Oxford Mail understands that roads campaigners met with council officers late last week to discuss improvements that could be made to The Plain.
Commenting on the changes on Oxford Road, Kidlington, a spokesman for the county council said: “Following discussions with cycling campaigners, Oxfordshire County Council brought in changes on the A4165 by Oxford Parkway station in Water Eaton, near Kidlington, on Tuesday [April 12].
“It follows the death of cyclist Ellen Moilanen, who died following a collision with an HGV on 8 February.
“The left turn slip road into Oxford Parkway has been shortened to make turning vehicles drive more slowly and more carefully. Cones have initially been put in place, although these will be replaced with waterfilled barriers in the future before deciding whether or not the make the change permanent.
“Some warning signs urging drivers to ‘check for cyclists’ have also been installed.”
An inquest into Mrs Moilanen’s death was opened by assistant coroner for Oxfordshire Joanna Coleman last week. Oxford Coroner’s Court heard the 44-year-old died from multiple injuries, with a full inquest to be heard in September.
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