Transport planners considering the future of two key Oxford roads have been urged to do more to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Residents have called for better cycling provision, including separate bus and cycle lanes, and pedestrian crossings on stretches of the Woodstock and Banbury roads in north Oxford.

They spoke to the Oxford Mail following an exhibition by Oxfordshire County Council and design company Halcrow suggesting a range of changes aimed at improving transport provision in the area.

Under the plans, the busy Cutteslowe Roundabout, linking Banbury Road with the A40 dual carriageway, could be replaced with a traffic light "interchange", see below.

Another option is leaving the roundabout as it is and putting in traffic lights on roads approaching it.

In their report, transport planners say the roundabout is prone to congestion and both options could improve bus journey times and safety for pedestrians and cyclists wanting to cross the roundabout.

But they also say the changes could add to delays on both the west and eastbound stretches of the A40 and at nearby Wolvercote roundabout.

Other suggestions include changing the direction of bus lanes in Woodstock and Banbury roads or extending bus lanes in areas where none presently exist.

Planners say this would improve bus journey times -- but would mean cycle tracks would have to be removed, forcing cyclists to share a lane with buses.

Edwina Harland, 59, of Polstead Road, said: "I'm very happy they're thinking about improving the roads, but really feel there should be better provisions for cyclists and pedestrians.

"More pedestrian crossings would definitely be good, but we need extended cycle lanes. The idea of mixing bus and cycle lanes is quite frightening."

Retired solicitor Roland Jesseter, 65, of Banbury Road, who both cycles and drives, said: "I'm all for improving the bus routes into Oxford to encourage more people to use public transport, but cyclists must not be forgotten."

North Oxford county and city councillor Jean Fooks said: "There are some encouraging parts to these proposals, but I'm a little bit worried that it seems aimed more at improving bus routes and not considering the vulnerable road users, cyclists and pedestrians."

The proposals were drawn up following a study into transport provision.

The report said in improving bus routes along the roads "conditions for other road users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians, should be maintained or enhanced".

Copies of proposals are available from county council offices in Speedwell Street, Oxford.

Comments should be sent to: Samantha Tharme, Oxfordshire County Council, Environment & Economy, Freepost, Oxford, OX1 1BR.