CAMPAIGNERS in Botley are welcoming a promise to ensure the safety of cyclists.

Developers Mace were forced to rethink plans for trucks entering and exiting the proposed West Way Shopping Centre re-development after concerns were raised by both Oxfordshire County Council and cycling campaigners.

Cumnor resident Simon Banks spoke during the Vale of White Horse District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday night to highlight the issue.

The former health and safety inspector said: “You should have seen their red, embarrassed faces when we played a clip of Tony Blackledge, construction director at Mace, which said we never put left turns into a development and that they always listen to residents.

“But we are relived that in the meeting they pretty much as good as confirmed that there will no be left turns going into the centre.

“It would have been a death trap otherwise.

“So we hope they stick to their word.”

During the meeting director of planning for Savills - who are working with Mace on the project - Neil Rowley committed to the change in the plan, which will hopefuly see a right hand turn into Westminster Way and then into Chapel Way where vehicles would turn round on site, to then turn left out of Chapel Way and back onto Westminster Way.

As well as hearing appeals from Mr Banks, the planning committee decided to grant temporary planning permission, allowing Mace to change the use several former shop and business premises for the relocation of the Baptist Church.

Mace have been contacted for comment.