OXFORD’S Botley Road has been named one of the most dangerous for cyclists in Britain.

Sustrans, which helps shape policies and lobbies the Government for improvements to national cycle networks, labelled the area an ‘accident blackspot.’ And last night cycle campaign group Cyclox called for more to be done to stop cyclists feeling like they were “taking their lives into their hands” along the road.

According to Oxfordshire County Council statistics, in the past three years there have been 44 accidents involving cyclists, cars and pedestrians. Eight of them have been serious.

The list of ‘Worst Roads to Cycle’ was compiled by the charity’s National Cycle Network manager Martyn Brunt. The 10 highlighted included Tottenham Hale gyratory and Oxford Street, both in London, the A452 between Kenilworth and Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, and Severn Street, Birmingham.

Of Botley Road he said: “Cyclists have to give way on shared use paths at multiple intersections, culminating in an accident blackspot at the railway bridge and a six-lane motorway outside the station.”

Richard Mann, spokesman for Oxford cycling campaign group Cyclox, said he was sure there were considerably worse roads, but added: “It is not pleasant, particularly as you go under the bridge.

“At the moment there is no way to get across Frideswide Square without feeling you are taking your life into your own hands.”

A Sustrans spokesman said members from across the country had been contacted to see which road in their area was the most dangerous for cyclists and most in need of improvement.

He added Botley Road was picked for its reputation as an ‘accident blackspot’.

In 2004, cyclist Lisa Harker suffered a catalogue of injuries and lost her unborn child after she was hit by an 18-tonne lorry along Botley Road, at its junction with Roger Dudman Way.

Mrs Harker was 17 weeks’ pregnant, after five years of trying for a baby.

According to a recent study, more than 3,200 cycle journeys were recorded per day using Botley Road.

The road, which is one of the main routes into Oxford used by cars, buses, cyclists and pedestrians, meets at its top end with Frideswide Square, which is set to be redeveloped.

It is hoped work on the square could begin to turn the area into a ‘boulevard’ design as early as next year, costing about £3.7m.

But Cyclox has said as it stands, it was not confident the plans were safe for cyclists.

Mr Mann said: “Botley Road and Frideswide Square could so easily be a pleasant continuous route into town.

“It would be good to be able to send your children off on their bikes without having to worry whether they were going to come back in one piece or not.”

Cyclox will meet with officers at County Hall this week to discuss amendments to the proposals.

Oxford City Council also this month announced it would spend £300,000 over four years to improve cycling facilities in the city, hoping to get people making a quarter of all journeys by bicycle.