A PLANNED consultation on changes to a major road in Oxford has been delayed until the new year.

Oxfordshire County Council had been due to ask people’s views on what improvements they would like to see in Botley Road this month, but the authority has now said that will not be happening until January.

Spokesman Martin Crabtree said further tests and modelling work were needed, meaning the consultation would now take place later than expected.

It means the wait goes on for cyclists, pedestrians and bus users for ‘much-needed’ changes to improve the safety and the surface of the road, one of the main access routes into the city centre.

The council’s £9.1 million plan was approved in the summer and includes a range of improvements.

The first phase covers the section from Binsey Lane to the junction with Eynsham Road and will see changes introduced including improved junctions, better footpaths and measures to improve bus journey times before the rest of the road is tackled.

Sushila Dhall, chairman of Oxford Pedestrian Association, said it was currently ‘highly dangerous’ for walkers.

She said: “The major problem is that there is nowhere to cross for large stretches.

“At Ferry Hinksey Road, you are taking your life into your hands as there is no provision for pedestrians crossing and getting across near Waitrose is another issue.

“The highest priority is always seen as keeping Botley Road moving but it is forgotten that there are people who live all the way up it.

“We’d like to see a zebra crossing near the Waitrose and some kind of crossing at Ferry Hinksey Road.”

Just yesterday, paramedics and firefighters were called to a crash on Botley Road involving a motorcyclist. READ THE REPORT HERE

Asked about the delays, Ms Dhall said she hoped it meant the council would have the time to get it right.

She added: “Our impression is this is mostly about making changes for cyclists but we are keen to see improvements made across the board.

Oxford Mail:

“As is often the way, we feel we are at the bottom of the list but we hope this is an opportunity to put vulnerable road users first.”

A fifth of Oxford commuters travel by bike and the cycle lanes on Botley Road are known to be dangerous.

Research by the council found 47 per cent of crashes in this area involved a cyclist with the majority coming where the lane crosses a side road.

Simon Hunt, chairman of Cyclox, said re-designing these junctions was crucial if the problems were to be addressed.

He said: “I understand the delays are due to more modelling work being needed which seems a reasonable excuse.

“I am surprised they have not done it any sooner but it’s worth taking the time to get it right rather than rushing it.

“The cycle lanes we have at the moment are terribly poor quality and it is high time something was done.

“The details will be crucial but it needs to be made clear cyclists and pedestrians have priority.

“It would give it a completely different feel.”

The project’s budget will be paid for by £5m from the National Productivity Investment Fund, £3.25m from the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal and another £850,000 from developers’ contributions.

Mr Crabtree said: “We are testing and carrying out modelling work on a large number of options following initial stakeholder engagement and contractor involvement, which means that we are spending more time on this stage of the process.”