Investment for Oxford cycle routes

Cyclists in Oxford are to benefit from two improvement schemes part-funded by government grants of more than £300,000.

The city's railway station is to get cycle hire facilities, additional CCTV and a public bike pump.

The Waterways Trust is using some of the money to improve 1.2km (0.7 miles) of towpath between Walton Well Road and Elizabeth Jennings Way.

Richard Mann from Oxford Cycle Campaign, Cyclox, said it was "excellent news" for cyclists.

'Combined benefit'

"It is great that the Department for Transport is prepare to back local investement in cycling," he added.

"This matches what the Cycle City project is trying to achieve and by working together it will produce a combined benefit."

The government money is part of a £30 million package of developments across the south of England.

The 2001 Census results show that 15% of journeys made to work in Oxford were by bike. This compares with less than 3% for the rest of the England and Wales.