Oxford: raised crossings for two major roads approved

Plans to give walkers and cyclists priority on dangerous junctions by introducing raised crossing points on two major roads in Oxford have been approved.

The continuous crossings, known as ‘side entry treatments’, will be raised so they are level with the pavement, giving cyclists and pedestrians priority over cars.

They will be located on several junctions on Banbury Road and Iffley Road where a “significant number of injuries” from walking and cycling have been reported.

The roads were identified by the government’s Department for Transport as needing interventions to improve road safety.

Robin Tucker, co-chair of CoHSAT (Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel) said that “car-dominated design practice” had led to a city “choked with cars” and prone to injuries, in a written statement.

He added: “It’s time to change this, even if we have to start one street corner at a time.

“That is why we are so glad to see these continuous pavement proposals that put pedestrians first, and reinforce the Highway Code priorities.”

Campaign groups Cyclox and Oxford Liveable Streets broadly supported the scheme but raised concerns about what would happen to them after proper cycle tracks are put in place on Banbury Road, in a joint response to the consultation.

The majority of respondents supported the schemes on each of the side roads in consultation, with many responses saying that the scheme would make it safer and more pleasant to walk and cycle at the roads.

Those who objected argued that the scheme was a “waste of money” and would worsen congestion at the junctions.

The crossing locations include the junctions at Belbroughton Road, Linton Road, Rawlinson Road, Norham Road, Bevington Road, Radcliffe Road, Iffley Turn (south), Westbury Crescent, and Courtland Road (north and south junctions).

Changes will be made to the design on the St. Margarets Road, and Cornwallis Road, which have bus routes.

The improvements will cost just over £1.7 million altogether and will be funded by the Department for Transport’s Safer Roads Fund.

The plans also include installing solar studs along the cycle routes to more clearly separate the cycleway from the carriageway, and approving the improvement works to pedestrian refuge islands.

Double yellow lines on the southern side of Radcliffe Road and the northern side of Westbury Crescent will also be extended.

Councillor Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport management, approved the scheme at the delegated decisions meeting on Tuesday, (June 24).

New 40mph and 50mph speed limits on a stretch of the A420 near Appleford were also approved at the meeting.