Strategic Active Travel Network (SATN)

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What is SATN?

The Strategic Active Travel Network (SATN) is a proposal for a countywide Active Travel network of walking and cycling routes.

Towns in Oxfordshire have Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), creating a network of walking and cycling routes within them. SATN will connect these networks, enabling longer distance walking and cycling across the county. Some of these routes already exist, others are proposed.

The development of the SATN is made up of 2 main stages:

Stage 1 - completed

  • Focused on the development of a map highlighting the high demand links between towns and existing LCWIPs, for example, Kidlington to Bicester.
  • These links were chosen through following a detailed methodology involving data analyses, formal and informal consultations, and a systematic prioritisation exercise which resulted in a straight desire line network, shown in the map below.
  • These links were classified as either a Strategic/ primary route or a Complementary/ secondary link
    1. A strategic/ primary route is a route that will be further developed as part of the SATN or a route that Oxfordshire County Council is already developing designs/ alignments for.
    2. A complementary/ secondary route refers to the remaining links within the network that are recommended for further development outside the SATN.

This map shows the in demand links between towns in Oxfordshire.

Stage 2 - currently in progress

  • Focuses on transferring the high demand links into physical routes, finding the most effective way. For example, what route will work the best to cycle from Kidlington to Bicester?
  • The detailed design of these Active Travel routes as well as the implementation and construction.
  • The potential on the ground routes are shown in the map below

This map shows potential on the ground routes.

You said

Two consultations took place during the development of the SATN. Early engagement took place in December 2022, including consulting on the emerging straight desire line network. The SATN report final draft was consulted on from July to August 2023.

During the final draft consultation period:

  • 1,333 people were made aware about the development of the SATN.
  • 701 people were informed about it.
  • 147 people actively engaged, including 147 survey responses, 443 downloads of the SATN desire line map, and 405 downloads of the SATN report. We also received several email responses, resulting in 310 suggestions.

We thoroughly analysed all the feedback, reviewing each response and comment. This analysis led to several changes in the report, as listed below.

We did

Based on your feedback, we made the following changes:

  • The addition of destinations into the SATN network, including:
    1. Tackley
    2. Nettlebed

  • The addition of new routes, including:
    1. Bicester to Steeple Claydon.
    2. Appleton to Northmoor via Northmoor Lock as a complementary alignment.
    3. Fulscot Bridge to Richmead (Didcot).
    4. Wallingford to Goring.
    5. Henley to Wallingford.
    6. Nettlebed to Wallingford.

  • The re-classification of some of the routes:
    1. Northmoor to Wantage from complementary to strategic.
    2. Thame to Chinnor from complementary to strategic.
    3. Bicester to Steeple Claydon from complementary to strategic.

  • Supporting bridleways and horse riding
    1. The recognition of the importance of horse riders, as per the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP).
    2. The recognition that the bridleway network is already severely. disconnected, and any cycle route improvement should consider their potential use by horse riders. Consequently, any schemes should be designed in accordance with this principle and mitigate any potential impacts.

  • Data:
    1. Correction of map keys following the spotting of mistakes by respondents.

  • Highlighted that the report is complex, and a more simplified version should be released once SATN is approved.

  • The need to add sections addressing:
    1. The concern on developing routes within sensitive areas, for example Otmoor.
    2. The infrastructure improvements that will come along with the new routes.
    3. The fact that the routes’ future development is reliant on feasibility and further engagement, including engaging with landowners, which might pose barriers to development.

  • Confirm the objective of SATN:
    1. Refer to SATN as a countywide LCWIP.
    2. Using SATN as a mitigation tool for any major road-building projects.

Next steps

The Strategic Active Travel Network was approved on 25 April 2024 by Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure & Development Strategy.

Our next steps include:

  1. Feasibility analysis
  2. Detailed design
  3. Scheme construction

These steps will be essential in bringing the on-the-ground alignments to life and will be carried out by the different placemaking teams within the County Council.

The Active Travel Team will overlook the SATN and ensure that the project meets the standards outlined in the relevant Active Travel policies to ensure its success.

What is SATN?

The Strategic Active Travel Network (SATN) is a proposal for a countywide Active Travel network of walking and cycling routes.

Towns in Oxfordshire have Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), creating a network of walking and cycling routes within them. SATN will connect these networks, enabling longer distance walking and cycling across the county. Some of these routes already exist, others are proposed.

The development of the SATN is made up of 2 main stages:

Stage 1 - completed

  • Focused on the development of a map highlighting the high demand links between towns and existing LCWIPs, for example, Kidlington to Bicester.
  • These links were chosen through following a detailed methodology involving data analyses, formal and informal consultations, and a systematic prioritisation exercise which resulted in a straight desire line network, shown in the map below.
  • These links were classified as either a Strategic/ primary route or a Complementary/ secondary link
    1. A strategic/ primary route is a route that will be further developed as part of the SATN or a route that Oxfordshire County Council is already developing designs/ alignments for.
    2. A complementary/ secondary route refers to the remaining links within the network that are recommended for further development outside the SATN.

This map shows the in demand links between towns in Oxfordshire.

Stage 2 - currently in progress

  • Focuses on transferring the high demand links into physical routes, finding the most effective way. For example, what route will work the best to cycle from Kidlington to Bicester?
  • The detailed design of these Active Travel routes as well as the implementation and construction.
  • The potential on the ground routes are shown in the map below

This map shows potential on the ground routes.

You said

Two consultations took place during the development of the SATN. Early engagement took place in December 2022, including consulting on the emerging straight desire line network. The SATN report final draft was consulted on from July to August 2023.

During the final draft consultation period:

  • 1,333 people were made aware about the development of the SATN.
  • 701 people were informed about it.
  • 147 people actively engaged, including 147 survey responses, 443 downloads of the SATN desire line map, and 405 downloads of the SATN report. We also received several email responses, resulting in 310 suggestions.

We thoroughly analysed all the feedback, reviewing each response and comment. This analysis led to several changes in the report, as listed below.

We did

Based on your feedback, we made the following changes:

  • The addition of destinations into the SATN network, including:
    1. Tackley
    2. Nettlebed

  • The addition of new routes, including:
    1. Bicester to Steeple Claydon.
    2. Appleton to Northmoor via Northmoor Lock as a complementary alignment.
    3. Fulscot Bridge to Richmead (Didcot).
    4. Wallingford to Goring.
    5. Henley to Wallingford.
    6. Nettlebed to Wallingford.

  • The re-classification of some of the routes:
    1. Northmoor to Wantage from complementary to strategic.
    2. Thame to Chinnor from complementary to strategic.
    3. Bicester to Steeple Claydon from complementary to strategic.

  • Supporting bridleways and horse riding
    1. The recognition of the importance of horse riders, as per the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP).
    2. The recognition that the bridleway network is already severely. disconnected, and any cycle route improvement should consider their potential use by horse riders. Consequently, any schemes should be designed in accordance with this principle and mitigate any potential impacts.

  • Data:
    1. Correction of map keys following the spotting of mistakes by respondents.

  • Highlighted that the report is complex, and a more simplified version should be released once SATN is approved.

  • The need to add sections addressing:
    1. The concern on developing routes within sensitive areas, for example Otmoor.
    2. The infrastructure improvements that will come along with the new routes.
    3. The fact that the routes’ future development is reliant on feasibility and further engagement, including engaging with landowners, which might pose barriers to development.

  • Confirm the objective of SATN:
    1. Refer to SATN as a countywide LCWIP.
    2. Using SATN as a mitigation tool for any major road-building projects.

Next steps

The Strategic Active Travel Network was approved on 25 April 2024 by Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure & Development Strategy.

Our next steps include:

  1. Feasibility analysis
  2. Detailed design
  3. Scheme construction

These steps will be essential in bringing the on-the-ground alignments to life and will be carried out by the different placemaking teams within the County Council.

The Active Travel Team will overlook the SATN and ensure that the project meets the standards outlined in the relevant Active Travel policies to ensure its success.

Page published: 12 Nov 2024, 02:51 PM