A consultation has ended for proposals to allow cycling on a pedestrianised town centre street as the issue moves onto the next stage.

The public was asked to share their views on proposals to allow two-way cycling on Sheep Street through the town centre of Bicester during a consultation. The consultation ended on Saturday, August 31. 

This was a chance for residents to have their say on the proposals, which have been met with controversy. 

Now, officers will prepare a report for the cabinet member for transport management, Andrew Gant, to make a decision on whether to implement the cycling trial.

This would be an implementation of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to trial cycling in Sheep Street for a maximum of 18 months.

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Then, if the trial is approved, a new public consultation will be held for the first six months of the trial for people to give their views on cycling in Sheep Street.

The responses to this second consultation will also be reported to Andrew Gant. 

They will decide if cycling should be made permanent, this could include cycling at all times, or cycling only at specific times; or it may be decided that cycling should not be permitted.

Traders have previously raised health and safety concerns, particularly regarding health and safety for elderly people. 

Currently, cycling is prohibited at all times on Sheep Street - however traders have told the Oxford Mail that cyclists still use the street despite it being prohibited. 

John O'Leary, landlord of McCafferty's at the White Hart on Sheep Street, told the Oxford Mail in August: "It's definitely a no-go for me - for the simple reason I sit out the front watching everyday and the street is full of elderly people with zimmer frames, mobility scooters and mothers with push chairs.

"I observe bikes up and down the street everyday - it's a disaster.

John O'Leary, landlord of McCafferty's at the White Hart on Sheep Street (Image: Newsquest)

"From what I've seen myself, my main concern is health and safety."

He added: "Sheep Street is a pedestrianised street and it should stay that way."

Holly Lewis, who works at Lewis' Butchers on Sheep Street, echoed this.

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She said: "We don't need it.

"People will speed along here - when it's busy on a Friday you can't see up the street.

"I think it will be a bit dangerous."

Oxfordshire County Council previously said the goal was to "enhance active travel in Bicester by making Sheep Street more accessible to cyclists".

It added it aims to "provide significant benefits for cyclists by improving the choice of routes across Bicester".