Fears Kidlington will be cut off if level crossings close

Network Rail, which owns the nation's railway tracks, had been looking to close the crossings between Kidlington and Yarnton as part of a national programme to shut any with a high-risk of incidents or fatalities.

But the authority announced earlier this week the decision had been deferred because the "anticipated growth in the use of freight trains has not yet materialised".

Yarnton Lane and Sandy Lane.

READ MORE: Concern as 'dangerous' Oxfordshire level crossing stays open

Liberal Democrat Kidlington West district councillor, Dorothy Walker, said: "We are increasingly troubled with road connectivity here.

"We (Kidlington) are the local service centre.

"It is completely illogical to cut that off.

"We need the vehicular link.

Dorothy Walker. (Image: Cherwell District Council.)

"It's just ridiculous that this active travel ideology is forcing everybody onto the main roads."

Ms Walker's comments come as the county council administration - run by a coalition of Liberal Democrats and Greens - has often been accused by other parties of making it more difficult to get around by car due to its policies.

The Liberal Democrat clarified she was "completely in support of active travel" and "of course we need to make incentives for people to cycle more" but "don't let it be the reason for removing a very important road".

She added: "There is also an older demographic in Yarnton and no way those people are going to be cycling or walking."

Sandy Lane level crossing.

Yarnton parish council chairman, David Brown, who said he was 85 and "too old to cycle", also shared his concern.

Mr Brown said: "We in Yarnton parish have been campaigning ever since they said they were going to close that road - for it to be kept open.

"The fact that they are now not going to close the crossing - at the moment - is a huge relief.

"Councils say it's fine and we can drive the longer way round.

"But we would essentially feel a bit cut off.

"I can't walk, it's too far.

David Brown. (Image: Contribution.)

"Some of us still need to drive.

"There's no bus route.

"That crossing is not used just once or twice a day - about 2,500 cars going through it every day."

Network Rail is responsible for the level crossings project but the county council has expressed its support for a closure.

Mr Brown added: "I'm sure that active travel reasoning is part of the county council's ethos.

"Because Andrew Gant wants to get us all on bicycles."

A county council spokesman said: "We previously supported the proposals to close these level crossings on the basis that they were part of an overall package of railway investment, including the current station works to increase rail capacity and resilience, especially for rail freight.

“They were consistent with the Cherwell Local Plan Part one Partial Review which, for example, in the context of housing development allocated in this area proposed the use of Sandy Lane as a ‘green’ pedestrian, cycle and wheelchair route between the development and the built-up area of Kidlington.

“There was also a strong overall fit to our council policies promoting and encouraging active travel and a reduction in car trips."

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi