Cyclists using Oxford's busy Woodstock Road could soon be a lot safer.

Oxfordshire County Council was due to meet today to vote on plans for a cycleway along the western footway of the road, between Bainton Road, and the existing cycle track in Blenheim Drive.

Last week, city councillors backed the scheme with an estimated cost of 70,486, 60,000 of which is being paid by the National Cycle Network. And 10,486 is being paid by St Edward's School and First Leisure to provide a track on the Western side of Woodstock Road between Bainton Road and Woodthorpe Road.

Before deciding to go ahead with this extension to the National Cycle Network, city councillors on the pedestrian and cycles sub-committee rejected two other options upgrading the canal towpath as a cycle track, and removing the bus lane in Woodstock Road and replacing it with a cycle lane.

Councillor Jean Fooks (Lib Dem) said: "Hopefully the highways committee will approve it, because the county are now happy with it. It's been wanted for a long time somewhere people can cycle safely."

The Millennium Commission says work on schemes forming part of the National Cycle Network needs to be finished by the end of the year.