Carterton in Oxfordshire to get new foot and cycleways

Highways chief Andrew Gant gave the green light to the transport measures in east Carterton at a county council meeting in April.

The shared-use foot & cycleways will come to Upavon Way, Carterton Road, Marsh Way/Norton Way, and Brize Norton Road.

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Speaking ahead of the decision, a spokesman for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said: "RNIB strongly opposes the proposals for these footways to be converted into shared-use paths.

Map indicating cycleways location. (Image: Oxfordshire County Council.)

"Shared use areas are not inclusive and present potentially serious dangers to both pedestrians with sight loss and cyclists.

"This is because cycles are extremely difficult for blind and partially sighted people to see or hear, and it is not always obvious to cyclists which pedestrians are blind or partially sighted.

"There is a real risk of people with sight loss unknowingly stepping into the path of a cyclist, and the cyclist being unaware that the pedestrian hasn't seen them, resulting in a collision.

Carterton Road. (Image: Google Maps.)

"All evidence we have collected suggests that shared use developments are more likely to result in blind and partially sighted people’s exclusion from public spaces which negatively impacts their health and ability to engage in society."

Mr Gant responded saying "there isn't the space" for a segregated cycle line.

Oxfordshire County Council carried out a formal consultation in February and March of this year with "key-stakeholders" contacted and a letter sent directly to approximately 105 properties in the area.

Carterton Town Centre.

A total of 14 responses were received comprising four objections, four raising concerns, two partially supporting, three in support and one non-objection.

Carterton Town Council were among those voicing their support for the scheme and Thames Valley Police raised no objections.

Speaking at the transport management meeting, Robin Tucker, co-chair of the coalition for healthy streets and active travel (CoHSAT), said the group supported the proposal but added: "The current state of these paths is very poor for walking and wheeling.

"We do not consider this to be particularly good cycling infrastructure.

"Perhaps slower, less confident cyclists will use the path."

Mr Gant later said: "A cyclist is perfectly entitled to use the road but that is not within the scope of this scheme."

Andrew Gant. (Image: Oxfordshire County Council.)

Questions were also raised over the apparent lack of connectivity of the paths.

A Carterton Town Council spokesman said: "Carterton Town Council have discussed the proposals and are keen to submit a positive response.

"They are grateful that these funds are going to be spent, improving cycling infrastructure and safety in Carterton.

"However, they did raise the issue of connectivity as the paths seem to be independent of each other and are not necessarily on the busiest cycle routes."

The highways chief concluded: "I agree it did seem to be little bits of cycle track."