FAQs
Reduction of 5 meters of length of the loading bay at the northern end of Market Place, near the junction with Bridge Street, to allow space for turning vehicles at the junction
Reduction of 5.5 metres of length of the parking bay on East Saint Helen Street opposite Lombard Street, to allow for a footway build out and a new crossing
Two reductions of 3.4 metres of length each of the parking bays on East Saint Helen Street, to enable two build out features with green space.
Removal of the southernmost parking bay on East Saint Helen Street, to provide a vehicle pull-in space.
Why is the scheme needed?
A key priority for Oxfordshire County Council is to create a transport network that makes active travel the first choice for short journeys. The term ‘active travel’ includes walking, wheeling and cycling. This cycle route is also known as National Cycle Network route 5 – a part of the Sustrans national cycle routes network which cover all of the UK. The need to make improvements to it is identified in the approved Abingdon Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). The proposed improvements would help tie together the Oxford, Abingdon, and Didcot Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans, and create a safe walking/wheeling/cycling route for all people.
The scheme when completed is expected to remove a significant barrier to achieving a high-quality cycle network connecting Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot, and beyond.
Is planning consent required?
Planning consent is not required for these improvement works. The work would be carried out on land within the boundaries of a road by/on the instruction of Oxfordshire County Council (as the local Highway Authority), and would not include any works that may have significant adverse effect on the environment.
Is the money for design and construction or design only?
The Abingdon East St Helen Street Active Travel scheme received funding for full project delivery, comprising preliminary design, public consultation, detailed design, and construction.
Why is there all this focus on active travel?
The Oxfordshire Local Transport and Connectivity Plan aims to reduce the need for individual private car journeys, and make walking, cycling, public and shared transport the natural first choice. It has ambitious targets including: to reduce one in four car trips by 2030, to deliver a net-zero transport network by 2040, and to stop road fatalities and life changing injuries by 2050. Investment in active travel will help us achieve these targets.
I have noticed the term ‘wheeling’. What is this?
The terms ‘pedestrians, wheelers and cyclists’ who ‘walk, wheel and cycle’ have been designed to include those who depend on non-motorised or low-speed mobility aids. Examples include wheelchairs, rollators (walking frames) and mobility scooters.
What are zebra crossings?
A zebra crossing is a type of pedestrian crosswalk marked by broad white stripes that run parallel to the direction of traffic. These crossings are designed to give priority to pedestrians; vehicles are required by law to stop for people who indicate their intention to cross at a zebra crossing.
The visual design is intentional: the bold white stripes stand out against the dark road surface, making the crossing highly visible to approaching vehicle users.
What are parallel cycle and pedestrian zebra crossings?
A parallel cycle and pedestrian zebra crossing is an upgraded form of the traditional zebra crossing. It allows both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road at the same designated location, but in separate, parallel lanes. This helps to improve safety and convenience for both groups and to clarify right-of-way rules for vehicle users.
Why are you proposing zebra and parallel crossings and not signal crossings?
Zebra and parallel crossings are preferred in this scheme as they minimise delay to both pedestrians and traffic and can therefore operate more efficiently than signal crossings. They provide a visual reminder to be aware of vulnerable road users – typically people walking, wheeling or cycling.
Zebra and parallel crossings are considered suitable when traffic speeds are low and where a culture of pedestrian priority exists.
What are you doing to help disabled access?
The scheme is being designed in line with LTN 1/20 Cycling Infrastructure Design to meet the standards of access and inclusion. This includes detailed standards on the layout of footways and crossing points including dropped kerbs, tactile paving (textured paving sections to indicate where a junction or crossing is to help people with visual impairments).
It is really important that we hear from people about what their requirements are so we can tailor the plan where practicable to benefit most people using those routes. For example, if there's a small change that can be made that would especially help to make a crossing point also work better for people with auditory impairments, or people using rollators, then letting us know about it can help us to try and incorporate that accessibility into the plan if it is practicable.
What about improvements for active travel on West St Helen Street?
We are exploring the possibility of providing a contraflow cycleway on West St Helen Street (between East St Helen Street and St Helen’s Court). This may require some changes to the parking arrangements. We do not have funding at the moment to deliver the improvements on West St Helen Street, but we will be seeking your feedback to help to form designs. This can then be used to help us bid for future funding and help us draft a plan. If we secure funding for such improvements on West St Helen Street, we would run further engagement and a survey for you to review the draft plans.
Have the Abingdon fairs been considered in the scheme design?
Abingdon fairs take place for a few days once a year. We are aware that large vehicles use the street for this, and turning movements have been considered in the scheme design to mitigate this risk – including elements such as street furniture (such as Belisha beacons and signage) that can be removed to allow for the fair rides.
How does this help businesses and tourism?
The improvements would make it easier for people walking, wheeling and cycling, also driving, to move seamlessly between the Market Place and Bury Street Precinct, the High Street area shops and businesses, and Abbey Close area with Abbey Meadows, Unicorn Theatre and the outdoor pool.
Will there be any impacts on existing parking spaces?
The scheme proposes the following changes to parking spaces:
How are you respecting the look and feel of Abingdon as one of the country’s most historic market towns?
Abingdon has been a settled community since the Iron Age and much of the town centre contains traditional medieval buildings (some with Georgian frontages built around them).
We are proposing a mix of street furnishings and surfacings that are sympathetic to the historic feel of the town whilst helping to underline Abingdon centre’s sense of place.
This was also one of the reasons we are proposing zebra and parallel crossings rather than signalised crossings due to the visual impact and to minimise street clutter.
When will construction works start and how long will they take?
Should the proposals be approved, the current plan is to start construction work in spring 2026 and finish in summer 2026 (subject to severe weather/other unforeseen circumstances).
Will there be noise and dust during construction?
Some noise and dust is inevitable during most construction works. The construction team seeks to reduce the disruption as far as is reasonably practical, and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience that works might cause. We would write to properties near the proposed works site in advance and put up signage to let people know.
What will the emergency services do?
We would not expect works to disrupt emergency services from carrying out their duties.
What would the impact on traffic be if the scheme was approved and implemented?
The final scheme is not anticipated to have any negative impact on traffic volumes or congestion should it be implemented. As it would deliver better, more direct and safer route opportunities for walking, wheeling and cycling, the expectation is that it should help to reduce motor traffic congestion in the longer term, as more people find it easier to use active travel modes for some of their local journeys.
We would coordinate works to minimise the impact on the road network as far as possible. Information signs would be erected to highlight the planned works, dates, and duration of works, and nearby properties would be written to in advance with details of the intended works and times.
We would maintain normal access and emergency access to properties during the works. Further details of proposed traffic management arrangements would be available closer to construction.
Will the road be street lit?
The location of the proposed scheme has existing streetlights. The scheme does not include any proposal for installing additional streetlights. Zebra and parallel crossings are often accompanied by other features, such as Belisha beacons—flashing yellow globes on black and white poles—on either side of the road to further alert vehicle users.
What is a Dutch entrance kerb?
The scheme includes two locations where vehicles might need to cross over a raised footway at a junction. A Dutch entrance kerb is a type of kerb that enables step-free crossings for pedestrians whilst allowing vehicles to make slower turning movements into or out of side roads.
What feedback are you hoping for from the local community?
We would especially like people living or working in or near Abingdon or regularly visiting the town to comment on our proposals by responding to our survey online or on paper, or by writing to us or speaking to us at the drop-in events. The survey questions are arranged to help people to comment on the different specific elements of the designs, so we can review and make further changes as necessary.
How can I ask a question, request further details, or make a compliment/complaint/comment?
If you would like to know more about the project, you can contact us by email: ncn5-cycleroute@oxfordshire.gov.uk