Changes to the roads in Oxfordshire could happen as early as June after the local authority received responses from 63 county councillors on what the council could do with the share of the funding from the government to encourage cycling and walking.
More 20mph zones, safe areas outside school gates and improved cycling oaths are among the new ideas.
Councillors were responding to a request by the council’s cabinet member for transport Yvonne Constance, and county cycling champion Suzanne Bartington.
The council singled out areas of popular appeal among the suggestions and said there was ‘clear support’ for measures including:
* A wider roll-out of 20 mph speed zones where supported by residents
* The introduction of school streets to restrict motor vehicles around schools at certain times of day
* Improved cycling infrastructure such as more cycle-only lanes in every town
* More cycle facilities like secure cycle racks at rural bus stops
The council says that some of the work will be done in June, with further changes to be made between July and September.
It said it will ‘work with the district and city councils to use this funding as widely as possible to address the active transport measures under consideration for the benefit of residents’. It also said it was in a strong position to benefit because it already has a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, which has already focused on the best streets for cyclists and where improved lanes should run. Oxford City Council also wants to close one of its main city centre roads-Broad Street-to all cars.
Cabinet member Yvonne Constance said: “The immense challenges of coronavirus have disrupted our transport network. However there are now opportunities to rethink the way we travel and a chance to make strides towards sustainable and zero emission transport. There’s a real chance to do things differently, helping more people to walk, cycle and travel in sustainable ways.
“By working with councillors across the county on adapting our transport infrastructure and options we can alter the way people think about travelling. This could all lead to much-needed improvements in air quality as well as supporting a sustainable recovery from the pandemic.”
