New study launched to improve cycling and walking routes around Banbury

A new study has been launched to improve cycling and walking routes around Banbury

Cherwell District Council, together with Oxfordshire County Council, has just commissioned a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which will identify routes and obstacles, before funding can be allocated to improvements.

This has been welcomed by the Banbury Active Travel Supporters (BATS), who is campaigning for the town to become more user-friendly for walkers and cyclists.

The group said that the town is 'notoriously dangerous for cyclists', and it hopes improvements will encourage more people to leave the car at home.

A spokesperson for BATS added: "Sustrans, the national cycling charity, created a suggested plan of cycle routes in Banbury in back 2009, but their recommendations were never implemented.

"We need safe routes to and from the station, Gateway, town centre shops, schools, places of work, health centres, leisure centres, and places of worship."

The new plan will seek views from path and road users in Banbury, and BATS is hoping to co-ordinate the responses of a wide number of user groups, including Banbury Star Cycling Club (BSCC), which has 200 members.

Paul Dean, BSCC President, said: "There’s an awful lot of work to do and the club is more than happy to work together with any other stakeholders - we all have a vested interest to improve cycling for everyone."

Views will also be sought from schools, walking groups, users of mobility scooters, and Banbury residents generally.

BATS are holding an online meeting, open to all, on March 18 at 7pm. Email [email protected] if you would like the link to attend.