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Oxford cyclists forced to swerve to avoid roadwork diversion signs placed on cycle lane

Oxfordshire CC says it will review position of signs put in place while improvements for cyclists carried out

The position of diversion signs put in place in Oxford while roadworks are carried out to improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians are to be reviewed – because cyclists are having to swerve to avoid crashing into them.

Cyclists have complained about the danger caused by the placement on a cycle lane warning motorists of a diversion while work is carried out on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council on the £450,000 New Headington Transport Improvements scheme.

One of Oxfordshire County Council’s own members, Councillor Roz Smith, said that she herself had almost hit one of the signs, reports the Oxford Mail.

“I have nearly collided into one of them and there have been a few complaints about it,” she revealed.

“Putting diversion signs in the way of cyclists and pedestrians does seem to be something that happens quite often.”

James Styring from local cycle campaign group Cyclox commented: “It is an irony that the work is to make the streets more accommodating for cyclists.”

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Owen Morton said the council was aware of the issue and would investigate whether they could be moved.

“We appreciate the diversion signs may be causing some inconvenience for cyclists,” he said.

“We will look into whether they can be better positioned while still fully visible to motorists. We are striving to keep disruption to a minimum and look forward to providing a much improved environment for cyclists and pedestrians in the area.”

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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4 comments

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a.jumper | 12 years ago
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It's not legal to obstruct the highway is it? Well, not unless you put up signs diverting the bit you're obstructing...  3

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thereverent | 12 years ago
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It always seems to be the default option to put temporary road signs in the cycle lane or the pavement.  14
Even when there is space near a pedestrain refuge (where it would be out of the way of everyone).

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timlennon replied to thereverent | 12 years ago
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thereverent wrote:

It always seems to be the default option to put temporary road signs in the cycle lane or the pavement.  14
Even when there is space near a pedestrain refuge (where it would be out of the way of everyone).

The best thing you can do - apart from put them in the road - is to whine at your local council. Most have some response line or email form you can fill in, and you can ask them who's responsible for the signs, what action will be taken, and when it will be taken.

To my mind it's like the pothole stuff - if we don't complain we don't get, and here you're even doing a favour for your pedestrian version, too!  1

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Coleman | 12 years ago
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It's the same approach in Newham, east London. A plethora of signs for motorists, usually weighed down with sandbags in the middle of the cycle lane. If I had bigger balls I'd move them all into the road one night. (The signs, not the balls.)

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