Oxford Botley Road cycle lane to be replaced despite fears

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for transport management Andrew Gant made the call at a meeting today (September 5) in relation to the existing cycle lane on the southern side of Botley Road in Oxford.

The approval comes despite 77 consultation responses being received via an online survey during formal consultation comprising 46 objections, 16 partially supporting, 10 in support, and five submitting a non-objection.

Cyclists at The Plain in Oxford. (Image: Tejvan Pettinger)

READ MORE: Rail minister 'acutely aware' of Oxford Botley Road disruption

The mandatory cycle lane would be replaced with a wider advisory one under the council plans. Advisory cycle lanes are marked with broken lines as opposed to the solid lines used for mandatory lanes.

The authority has previously stated "a consultation is not a referendum" and had justified the new proposal saying it would "help improve road safety and the environment for cyclists using the Botley Road".

But one Oatlands Road householder said in objection: "This plan is misguided, and I believe we should be taking steps in the opposite direction to enhance and expand our cycling infrastructure.

"Firstly, it is imperative that we fully separate cycle lanes from the main roadway using proper structural barriers such as bollards, kerbs, and raised paths.

"Cyclists should not be forced to share the road with cars and buses as this creates a hazardous environment."

Andrew Gant in the meeting sat alongside officer Jack Ahier. (Image: Oxfordshire County Council.)

Another objector, of Riverside Road, added: "I cycle with children and there are already very few mandatory cycle lanes in Oxford.

"It is very dangerous to cycle with children on an advisory cycle lane.

"Often there are cars parked on an advisory cycle lane. There should be more mandatory cycle lanes and not fewer."

Householders supporting the proposals, however, made comments such as "wider will be safer" and "the current mandatory cycle lane feels very narrow".

Speaking out at today's meeting, householder Danny Yee, who came as a representative for Oxfordshire Liveable Streets and Cyclox, said he supported the proposal.

Danny Yee. (Image: Oxfordshire County Council.)

But Mr Yee added "this kind of layout works best with low traffic volumes and low speed" and suggested the planned traffic filters trial may help reduce congestion.

He also said that 20mph could have a positive impact on safety in the area.

While Oxfordshire Cycling Network and Cyclox supported the proposals, Bike Safe was among the objectors.

Mr Gant said: "There's been a lot of responses here and a lot of objections – I’ve read them all.

Gas Main work at Botley Road. (Image: Network Rail.)

"Botley Road has been talked about and planned with not too much happening for far too long.

"What I’m being asked is is this better to do this now or not."

The proposal is being put forward in the context of continued works to Botley Road by the train station with the council referencing an "opportunity to make improvements to highway road markings".

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi