If you go down the Launton Road today, you're sure of a big surprise.

Back in 2020, the former Barrus site was developed. Originally the developer proposed just a 2m wide shared path along the frontage, with cyclists having to give way to vehicles. This was not in compliance with national or local standards (the Local Transport Note 1/20 and the Bicester Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan) and neither the Oxfordshire nor Cherwell Councils objected. It looked like this:

BBUG objected strongly, including making oral submissions at the planning hearing where we succeeded in persuading the committee. Over the subsequent months, we worked closely with the highways authority and the planning authority to secure segregated walking and cycling paths, and a priority crossing for cyclists. This was the revised design that the planning authority finally accepted:

Finally, a couple of years later, these paths and crossing have finally been delivered. It looks amazing, with wide, smooth paths that are a pleasure to use.  Why not go down and check it out? (No need to go in disguise...)

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