Oxford United is planning to move from the Kassam Stadium to a new stadium in Kidlington.
The U’s’ licence agreement at the Kassam runs out in 2026, and the club is looking to build a new home at The Triangle, south of Kidlington Roundabout.
READ MORE: Cases from Oxford Magistrates’ Court
A full planning application for a 16,000-capacity ground was submitted to Cherwell District Council at the end of February, while in May, a legally binding lease option with Oxfordshire County Council was signed.
Earlier this month the club confirmed that a ‘confidential pre-application request’ has been submitted with regard to a potential footbridge at the site of the club’s proposed new stadium.
(Image: Cyclox/Danny Yee) Now John Paine, secretary of the Oxfordshire branch of the National Pensioners Convention, has said bikes should not be allowed to use the bridge.
He said: “A new pedestrian footbridge is being planned for Oxford United’s new stadium. Cyclists have special cycle lanes for accessing that proposed stadium.
“This means that the proposed footbridge over the A4026, to give access from the rail station and park & ride, should be cycle-free.”
READ MORE: New venture for Clarkson’s Farm star
Mr Paine added: “We know from elsewhere that in ‘shared spaces’ cyclists do not always give proper room for pedestrians.
“Sadly, there is no official data collected on ‘near misses’. The National Pensioners Convention have plenty of anecdotal reports of when older pedestrians have been harmed by irresponsible cyclists.
“Pedestrians are No 1 in the Highway Code criteria of road users. For that reason the proposed bridge should be designed as ‘cycle free’.”
Oxford cycling campaign group Cyclox has been asked for comment.
Oxford United has stated the new stadium will “deliver significant economic and social benefits to Oxfordshire, including the creation of jobs, boosting the visitor economy, improving transport links, enhancing green spaces, supporting local charities, sports groups, schools and colleges”.
The plans include a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference room, health and wellbeing space, gym and community plaza.
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe
As a digital subscriber you will get:
- Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website
- Advert-light access
- Reader rewards
- Full access to our app
About the author
Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here.
He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.
His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning.
You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.