A city councillor has said more needs to be done to improve safety at a notorious Oxford roundabout after a recent crash.

The crash occurred at about 2.45pm on The Plain roundabout heading onto St Clement’s Street, involving an airline coach from Oxford Bus Company and a cyclist.

Police and paramedics were pictured at the scene and witnesses said the cyclist appeared injured.

Councillor Katherine Miles, who represents Summertown, said that measures are being taken through Vision Zero which is aiming to reduce fatalities and severe injuries resulting from collisions on roads to zero.

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The Plain roundabout crash (Image: Contributed) In Oxford the aim is to reduce them to zero in Oxfordshire by 2050, with interim targets of a 25 per cent reduction by 2026 and a 50 per cent reduction by 2030.

Vision Zero is global movement that started in Sweden in the 1990’s and has gained traction in European countries and the USA over the past 30 years.

The Plain roundabout is a busy and historically dangerous road for cyclists which sees several major crashes a year and caused the death of cyclist Dr Ling Felce in March 2022.

An automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera was installed at the junction in September this year to enforce a ban on drivers turning left from Cowley Road to Iffley Road.

The recent crash resulted in significant delays in all directions on the approach to the roundabout last night which cleared after several hours.

Ms Miles said: “I hope the cyclist makes a full recovery and my thoughts are with them. 

“We are aiming to improve safety at the roundabout through Vision Zero, although are are many crashes happening and its is a dangerous roundabout. The way we improve safety here is by having better infrastructure and behaviours. 

“We need a safe systems approach and a holistic strategy. 

“It's based on the idea that all parts of the road system needs to work together to make it safer. Vision Zero seeks to do that. We need to do more to improve road safety and protect road users. 

“Everyone has responsibility to take care on the roads.”

Councillor Alex Powell, Green Party, added: "The first priority following an incident such as this is to ensure that the injured person is okay. I am relieved to hear that this was a minor collision and wish the cyclist a speedy recovery.

"Sadly, incidents at the Plain are all too common and this area remains a key place where further action on cycling safety is needed. The introduction of bus gates will hopefully help to deal with the levels of congestion which contribute to incidents such as this, but more needs to be done to ensure that cyclists are properly protected."

An Oxford Bus Company spokesperson said: “One of our airline coach vehicles heading to Gatwick airport was involved in a collision with a cyclist at the Plain, heading towards St Clement’s Street, on Monday.

“Emergency services attended and the cyclist, who was conscious, was taken to hospital by ambulance. We are conducting an inquiry into the circumstances.

“Our thoughts are with the cyclist, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to our passengers and other road users.”

Thames Valley Police declined to comment on the incident in detail, but said the cyclist suffered minor injuries. 

Cycle campaign group Cyclox was contacted for a comment. 

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About the author  

Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government. 

He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years. 

Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby