Access to Headington

Scheme summary

The Access to Headington (A2H) project is being progressed by Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) to promote a package of highway, bus priority, cycle and pedestrian improvement proposals to enhance access to major employment, health and education sites in the Headington area, to the east of Oxford. This is also needed to support new housing and jobs in Headington, and beyond, without attracting more traffic to the area.

Existing traffic congestion leads to a number of problems, including delays to bus services and an unwelcoming environment for pedestrians and cyclists. The aims of the A2H project are to:

• Manage growth in car traffic – planning for more walking, cycling and use of public transport; Support jobs growth in health, innovation and education by improving access to major sites such as hospitals and universities;
• Improve access to the major employment sites by sustainable modes; and
• Promote health and wellbeing by reducing transport’s environmental impact

OCC carried out public consultation on the feasibility designs during summer 2015. Based on comments received, design proposals are being updated before detailed design work begins.

Construction of the scheme is proposed from summer 2016. The project is worth £12.5m, with £8.2m from the Local Growth Fund and £4.3m in local contributions.

Successful design elements

The design includes the use of both on and off road cycle provision. Where cycle provision is off road, widths are maximised as space will allow. In locations where space allows, hybrid cycle lanes have been implemented (for example on The Slade). The aim of the hybrid cycle lane is to provide a wide (2.0m) cycle lane off carriageway, with a small grade separation (50mm) from carriageway and footway level.

Lessons Learnt

• Early consultation with local residents and stakeholders is helpful to understand issues and avoid problems later.
• It would have been beneficial to get utilities GPR information early on in the project.
• Early Contractor Involvement is helpful, to give the opportunity for the designer to explain to the contractor what they are building and understand the design intentions.