Oxfordshire has received £10.4 million towards active travel improvements across the county.

Oxfordshire County Council has been awarded funding from the third phase of the government’s active travel fund.

The council previously received grants of £600,000 from phase one and £2.98 million from phase two.

Cyclists, pedestrians and residents will now benefit from additional walking and cycling infrastructure.

The grant will support improvements across the county, including £2m towards Witney High Street, £1.8m to improve Bicester’s A41 and £237,500 for the School Streets programme.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “This award is an excellent opportunity to improve cycling and walking infrastructure across our county and make journeys by bicycle or on foot an easier choice.

“This will in turn help to reduce congestion, improve air quality and improve the safety and health of residents across Oxfordshire.

“We have engaged with communities, district and parish councils and residents to identify projects that would benefit from this investment.

“The scale of the award means that we will be able to implement these schemes that will benefit the county for the long term.”

The funding conveys the Department for Transport’s recognition of Oxfordshire County Council’s high quality cycling infrastructure.

Including within highways projects, planning and designing for commercial cycling and cycle parking.   

The funds are expected to be received in July.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1