Sustainable Woodstock
Sustainable Transport
For the latest news and details of
the Woodstock Safe Routes campaign
follow this link to the Cycle Safe Routes page
For the latest news and details of the
wider campaign for Active Travel across the seven communities of
Woodstock, Bladon, Hanborough, Combe, Stonesfield, Wootton and Blenheim
go to the Villages Travel Network website at
www.vtn.org.uk
Our aim is to
campaign for safe and secure routes for cyclists and pedestrians within
Woodstock and, locally, beyond the town.
We have three immediate aims:-
- The provision of off highway alternative
routes from Old Woodstock to the town centre and to the schools.
- The provision of a safe route for cyclists
and pedestrians between Woodstock, Bladon and Hanborough Railway
Station.
- The provision of 20 mph speed limits in both
Woodstock and Bladon.
We also want to look at other cycle/footway
possibilities that may be needed as a consequence of the planned
expansion of the town.
- Provision of more cycle racks in Woodstock
particularly at Coop/Millennium Triangle
- Safe cycle route between Old Woodstock and
Judds Garage/B4437 junction
- Improved signalised pedestrian crossings at
Old Woodstock, the Causeway, and Oxford Road
- Staggered speed limits 50/40/30 on A44 at
entry points to the town.
- Further cycle routes in Blenheim providing
connectivity between Woodstock, Combe, Stonesfield and Wootton.
We believe that the town’s imminent development
provides a once in a generation opportunity to secure the best possible
built environment for the town and that this should not fail simply
through lack of funds from S 106 or through inadequate Local Government
funding.
The “Woodstock Safe Routes” project will provide
a platform for all with an interest in encouraging walking and cycling
and to consider how we can improve people’s ability to safely move about
the town on foot or by bike. Walking and cycling reduces pressure on
town centre parking and improves people’s health and well being. We
would like to involve as many organisations as possible in our
“conversation.” We want to find out what is needed, where and how it
might be provided, and, of course, how it can be funded. It is possible
that some grant funding may be available and Sustainable Woodstock is
looking further to develop these and other funding streams.
There are a number
of groups currently campaigning for more sustainable travel options and
in particular the provision of infrastructure for safer cycling.
Among these groups are:-
- The Oxfordshire
Cycling Network at http://cyclingukoxfordshire.org/campaign/
- "Blenheim Grass
Routes" is a policy campaign from Blenheim Estates and managed by
consultants "Velocity" https://velocityplacemaking.co.uk/
Blenheim have published their own
"Emerging Vision Sketchbook".
The vision charts a path for the
next 20 years; how they see the Estate working with the villages
that surround them; with the highways and planning authorities;
as well as their ambition to
develop "villages in a garden". It's a good read with much food for
thought. You
can download it here (33MB!)
- and, of course, Woodstock Town Council and
Bladon Hanborough, Combe, Stonesfield and Wootton Parish Councils
Comments from group
members and others are on the Cycle
Safe Routes page
We hope you will join our
campaign. Just tell us if you're interested by emailing
here
Oxfordshire County Council's Local Transport Plan
Many of our
demands closely match the policy aspirations of Oxfordshire County
Council as set out in its Local Transport Plan:-
Policy 03
Oxfordshire County Council will support measures and innovation that
make more efficient use of transport network capacity by reducing the
proportion of single occupancy car journeys and
encouraging a greater proportion
of journeys to be made on foot, by bicycle, and/or by public transport.
Policy 17
Oxfordshire County Council will seek to ensure through cooperation with
the districts and city councils, that the location of development makes
the best use of existing and planned infrastructure,
provides new or improved infrastructure and reduces the need to travel
and supports walking, cycling and public transport.
Policy 19
Oxfordshire County Council will encourage the use of modes of travel
associated with healthy and active lifestyles.
Policy 20
Oxfordshire County Council will carry out targeted safety improvements
on walking and cycling routes to school,
to encourage active travel and reduce pressure on school bus transport.