Cyclists surveyed by a campaign group have criticised Botley Road railway bridge, where two cyclists have died in recent years.

The Cycling Campaign for Oxford (Cyclox) carried out a sample survey along the Botley Road and concluded that cycling facilities there are wasted because the narrow road below the railway bridge is so dangerous and unpleasant that it actually discourages cycling.

Cyclox spokesman Simon Banks said: "This is contrary to the objectives of the county council and Cyclox, both of whom want to increase cycle use.

"Used by hundreds each winter morning, the inbound cycle route vanishes just yards from where it is most needed."

By contrast, the award-winning St Frideswide Bridge has won support among longer-distance cyclists who regulary use the Botley Road. Here, Oxfordshire County Council has provided segregated cycle lanes and separate pedestrian bridges on either side of the road, which forms a key route into the city centre. The survey also found that cycling around central Oxford is more flexible and convenient than using buses.

The survey findings are to be handed over to the county transport planners in the hope of getting cycle routes around the Botley Road rail bridge redesigned.