A cyclist has expressed concern that their commute has become “more dangerous” during the last two years, despite several traffic safety measures and road upgrades being introduced in the city.

Daniel Stafford reached out to this publication yesterday to offer an “alternative perspective” after we ran a story on improvement works to The Plain roundabout.

You can read the story HERE>>>>

Upgrade works began on the roundabout on Monday with the aim of creating a safer junction for all road users, following the death of Dr Ling Felce in March.

Oxford Mail: Road works are being carried out on The Plain this weekRoad works are being carried out on The Plain this week (Image: Newsquest)

Both the chair of Oxford’s cycling campaign group Cyclox, Dr Alison Hill, and the county’s cycling champion, Dan Levy, said the changes would make a “difference” to road users.

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They also point out that the junction puts people off cycling as it is complicated and has been labelled one of the most dangerous in the UK, so the upgrades were welcomed.

Mr Stafford is a cyclist who rides his bike five days a week but feels his experience has “worsened over the last 24 months”.

Read his letter below:

Thanks for your article this morning regarding the changes to the Plain roundabout.

I just wanted to give an alternative perspective to the voices quoted in the article. I live in Littlemore (full disclosure - have also run as Conservative candidate there in prior years) and cycle to my workplace in the city centre five days a week - so I have been using the route down Iffley Road consistently for my commute since 2018.

I am a little cautious to agree with the 'praise' given by the figures mentioned in your article. My own experience of cycling into Oxford has worsened over the last 24 months. The best example are the traffic bollards introduced where Henley Road meets Church Cowley Road - notionally these 'improve' the safety of cyclists by preventing cars from encroaching into the cycle lane. In practice, I am now fearful that a motorist will assume I am turning left and turn in on me - the junction is now more dangerous. Other bollards (next to the car showroom near Iffley Turn, and opposite the exit of Newman Road at Rose Hill) have equally made my commute more dangerous.

With regard specifically to the Plain roundabout, my first reaction cycling there yesterday was fear - it felt less safe. I am aware that an amount of time needs to be allowed for road users to adapt to the changes, so I am keeping an open mind, but I would aver that it is far too early to 'praise' the changes. I wholeheartedly support making our roads safer for all users, and my main concern is that the changes in place don't seem to have considered the needs of those actually using the roads.

Warmest, Daniel

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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