NINETY new cycle parking spaces are being created across Oxford city centre this month and next.

The city council is installing the extra spaces as part of efforts to help Oxford reopen after lockdown.

The council will install 72 of the bike parking spaces by the end of August. This will see:

• 24 spaces in Speedwell Street, outside Tesco

• 24 spaces in Speedwell Street, outside Oxford Crown Court

• 24 spaces in New Road

The New Road installation will also involve the replacement and upgrading of 24 existing bike parking spaces.

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The remaining 18 spaces will be installed in Ship Street at the end of September when scaffolding work in the street has finished.

Installation work will be carried out by Oxford Direct Services (ODS), the council’s private company that carries out contractual work.

The 90 spaces are in addition to the extra bike parking spaces that the city and county councils are installing as part of measures to help Oxford reopen following the coronavirus lockdown.

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The city installed 130 additional bike parking spaces at its park and ride sites in June to provide additional capacity once shops reopened.

At the time, the Government was encouraging people not to use buses due to the risk of infection.

Oxfordshire County Council is installing bike parking spaces at Oxford Parkway and Thornhill Park and Ride sites and across the city.

The councils are now looking for further locations.

City councillor Louise Upton said: "Our clear objective – to improve health, reduce air pollution and cut congestion – is to encourage more people to choose cycling to get to Oxford city centre, and we know that a lack of bike parking spaces is one of the obstacles to achieving that.

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"The support of our colleagues at Oxfordshire County Council and the University of Oxford, and the guidance of members of our disability forum on locations has been really valuable.

"We are continuing to look for new locations for additional cycle parking as the numbers of cyclists picks up again, and we are keen for businesses and organisations to consider installing secure bike parking for their workers and customers on their own land.

"Oxford Direct Services will be happy to quote for installing even small numbers of secure stands.”