Bicester London Road Active Travel Scheme

About the improvements

The cycleway will merge with the existing layouts at the Rodney House Roundabout and the new Pioneer Roundabout. Our proposals for these two roundabouts do not include any changes. 

This will allow better connections with the Graven Hill development.   

The designs will follow the latest national cycling standards, with cyclists separated from motor vehicles on the road for their safety and to encourage new and inexperienced cyclists of all ages. 

New sections of pavement will create better conditions for walking and reduce the need to cross the road as often. New zebra crossings for both cyclists and pedestrians on the London Road section will assist those who do need to cross. 

As a part of the changes, we intend to extend the 30mph speed limit along London Road to include the section south of Talisman Road up to Rodney House roundabout (currently 40mph). This will help to further improve safety, especially at the new crossing points. 

Works will be delivered in stages, subject to funding. Section 1 will be designed and built first. Sections 2 and 3 will require further funding.

Why we are investing here

A key priority for Oxfordshire County Council is to create a transport network that makes Active Travel the first choice for short journeys. The term ‘Active Travel’ includes walking, cycling and wheeling. 

This cycle route is identified in the Bicester Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). Bicester is expanding rapidly, and the town's population is anticipated to increase from 30,000 to 55,000 by 2034. 

The plans would make it easier and safer to travel between the town centre, the Graven Hill and the southern end of Wretchwick Green housing developments, and the Symmetry business park without relying on a private car. 

What you can expect

Phase 1 – London Road, between Rodney House Roundabout (London Road/A41 junction and the level crossing by Bicester Village railway station 

• A new two-way cycleway, separated from both motor vehicles and pedestrians, between the petrol station by the level crossing and Rodney House roundabout. Wherever possible, the cycleway and footway will be separated, but there are some sections where it is not wide enough to do this, and the path will be shared-use on these narrower sections. 
• New pavement for pedestrians along the west side of London Road from Talisman roundabout to Rodney House roundabout.  
• A new pedestrian and cyclist zebra crossing on Talisman Road 
• A new raised pedestrian and cyclist zebra crossing on London Road by Langford Brook  
• Entry treatments at side roads so that pedestrians and cyclists remain at pavement level and vehicles have to slow down when turning in and out. 
• Extending the 30mph speed limit on London Road up to Rodney House roundabout. 
• A new pedestrian crossing island to help people cross to and from the bus stop near Rodney House Roundabout. 
• No changes to Rodney House roundabout itself – where there are existing crossing with lights for people walking, wheeling and cycling to access Graven Hill Road and the wider development. 

Phase  2 – London Road, between Launton Road and the level crossing by Bicester Village railway station 

• A wider pavement on the west side of London Road, between Launton Road and the level crossing, to be shared between people walking, wheeling and cycling. 
• Raised crossings at Launton Road/London Road mini-roundabout for people walking, wheeling and cycling. 
• Area for planting and landscaping on the west side pavement to the south of the mini-roundabout.  

Phase 3 – A41 between Ploughley Road and Rodney House Roundabout 

• A new two-way cycleway, separated from both motor vehicles and pedestrians, on the south-west side of the A41 between Rodney House Roundabout and the new ‘Pioneer’ roundabout (where improvements have been made as part of the Graven Hill development). 
• A new pavement, separated from cycles, on the south-west side of the A41 between Rodney House Roundabout and the new ‘Pioneer’ roundabout. 
• A widened pavement on the south side of the A41, between the Pioneer Roundabout and Ploughley Road, to be shared between people walking, wheeling and cycling. 

Timescales

*Construction programme will depend on utility cabling works (for the electricity supply to Graven Hill) being completed in advance. 

Minimising the impact

Until a final design and route alignment is identified, the traffic management arrangements during construction remain to be confirmed.  We will coordinate the work to minimise the impact on the network as far as is reasonably practicable. Further details of this will be available closer to construction.

How it is being funded

The scheme is mainly funded by Active Travel England (part of the Department for Transport) through the Active Travel Fund Tranche 3, with important contributions from local planning agreements.

Next steps

It is intended that Phase 1 will be designed and built first. Phase 2 will follow, subject to funding and further design work to reduce cost. The construction of Phase 3 (A41) is dependent on additional funding from future bids to the Department of Transport. 

We are seeking your views on our proposals for the Bicester London Road Active Travel Scheme. 

A public engagement exercise will take place from 12pm on Tuesday 18 February to 11:59pm on Tuesday 18 March 2025. It will showcase the preliminary design details and road layout. 

We would like you to share your views on our proposals by completing the online questionnaire before 18 March 2025. Your feedback on all 3 phases will help to form designs for the further sections which will then be used towards seeking funding to develop those sections as well.   

The online engagement will also be supported by a drop-in event for members of the public to see the proposals in person and ask questions of the project team:

• Tuesday 25 February 2pm – 8pm - John Paul II Centre, Causeway, Bicester, OX26 6AW

You can find the online questionnaire, drawings, background information and FAQs on our Let’s Talk Oxfordshire platform.

Contact us

If you would like to know more, you can contact us by email:

bicesterlondonroad@oxfordshire.gov.uk