OxonBikes bike hire operator going into liquidation

The operator of a bike hire scheme in Oxford is going into liquidation, Oxfordshire County Council has said.

A statement on the council's website said it expected the OxonBikes service to be disrupted in the short term.

Grand Scheme Bike Share was the company appointed to run the 30-bike scheme, which is a two-year £150,000 pilot project aimed at reducing congestion in Headington.

Grand Scheme has so far been unavailable for comment.

The project allows users to pick up bikes for journeys between park and ride sites, hospitals and university campuses.

Grand Scheme also runs similar hire schemes in Sunderland and Newcastle, as well as Galway in Ireland.

The OxonBikes service was launched in June.

Richard Mann, from Oxford cycling group Cyclox, said he hoped the project could be maintained in the long term.

He said: "It should be able to carry on for a few days in the meantime as I imagine liquidators will be keen to keep it going as a business to ensure cash keeps coming in.

"The scheme is still growing locally and people have given some strong feedback.

"It just appears to be a problem with the supply company."