Shared cycleways approved despite safety concerns

Concerns were also raised over the apparent lack of connectivity of the paths

New shared cycleways have been approved for a town despite concerns being raised about the safety of blind people.

Oxfordshire County Council highways chief Andrew Gant gave the green light to the transport measures in east Carterton at a meeting in April.

Speaking ahead of the decision, a spokesman for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said the shared paths "present potentially serious dangers to both pedestrians with sight loss and cyclists".

But Mr Gant said there was not enough space for a segregated cycle line.

The shared-use foot and cycleways will come to Upavon Way, Carterton Road, Marsh Way/Norton Way, and Brize Norton Road.

The RNIB said bicycles were "extremely difficult for blind and partially sighted people to see or hear", and that it was "not always obvious to cyclists which pedestrians are blind or partially sighted".

“There is a real risk of people with sight loss unknowingly stepping into the path of a cyclist, and the cyclist being unaware that the pedestrian hasn’t seen them, resulting in a collision," the spokesman said.

The council carried out a formal consultation in February and March.

A total of 14 responses were received including four objections and three in support.

Thames Valley Police raised no objections.

Speaking at the transport management meeting, Robin Tucker, co-chair of the coalition for healthy streets and active travel (CoHSAT), said the group supported the proposal but said the "current state" of the paths was not "particularly good cycling infrastructure".

Questions were also raised over the apparent lack of connectivity of the paths.

But a spokesman for Carterton Town Council spokesman said they were "grateful that these funds are going to be spent, improving cycling infrastructure and safety in Carterton".