Middleton Stoney Road Active Travel scheme

About the improvements

The main proposals are:

• A new two-way cycleway separated from motor vehicles and pedestrians along the full length of Middleton Stoney Road. 
• A new pavement on the south side between Whitelands Way and King's End. 
• New pedestrian/cyclist zebra crossings along the road in five locations
• Signalised crossings at the roundabout with Shakespeare Drive. 
• Traffic restriction on Chalvey Road junction with Villiers Road to improve safety.

The designs will follow the latest national cycling standards. Cyclists will be 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 will assist those who do need to cross. 

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 its 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, Kingsmere, and other residential areas west of Bicester without relying on a private car. 

What you can expect

West Section – between Oxford Road and Shakespeare Drive

• A new Two-way cycleway on the north side of Middleton Stoney Road, segregated from road traffic. 
• The raised zebra crossing replaced the traffic island on Ludlow Road with a parallel crossing for cyclists. 
• Remove the right turn pocket from Ludlow Road for safety. 
• New signal crossings for cyclists and pedestrians on the west and north arms of Shakespeare Drive/Whitelands Way roundabout. 
• Slight adjustments to positions of existing speed cushions to accommodate new raised zebra crossings

East Section – between Shakespeare Drive and Oxford Road

• The two-way cycleway on the south side of Middleton Stoney Road is segregated from road traffic. 
• The continuous pavement on the south side of Middleton Stoney Road is separated from the new cycleway. 
• Two existing signal crossings at most regularly used crossing points have been replaced with four raised zebra crossings (including parallel crossings for cyclists). 
• New signal crossings for cyclists and pedestrians on the west and north arms of Shakespeare Drive/Whitelands Way roundabout.

Timescales

 *The construction programme will depend on utility cabling works (for new developments) being completed in advance. 

Minimising the impact

Until a final design is confirmed, 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

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 Wednesday 26 February to 11:59pm on Tuesday 25 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 25 March 2025. Your feedback will help form the final designs.

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 4 March 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:

middletonstoneyroad@oxfordshire.gov.uk