Guidance document Summary: Bicester and Mid-Cherwell - Movement and Place Plan

Vision for Bicester and Mid-Cherwell

We envisage Bicester and Mid-Cherwell as a sustainable and healthy place where communities thrive.  

A people-first approach will be utilised, focusing on sustainable connectivity and ensuring new developments are located where opportunities for sustainable development and transport can be maximised. This will prioritise walking, wheeling, cycling, and public transport, providing choice in how residents travel to schools, leisure facilities and local employment.  

We will deliver streets that support sustainable growth, enhance biodiversity and connect people to nature, showcasing Bicester’s Garden Town status. We will improve the public realm, creating places for people to meet, places to stop and rest, while ensuring this is sensitive to the character and needs of residential areas and the historic core, making Bicester and Mid-Cherwell a more desirable place to live, work, and visit.  

Area context

Bicester is a historic market town in north Oxfordshire with a population of 56,200, rising to 58,570 when including Mid-Cherwell. It has grown significantly in recent decades and was designated a Garden Town in 2014. The town offers a variety of amenities and has seen major investment, notably the opening of Pioneer Square in 2013. 

The Movement and Place Plan (MAP Plan) explores how Bicester connects with surrounding villages in Mid-Cherwell, which depend on it for services, employment, and leisure. It also considers future links with Heyford Park, a potential new town under the UK government’s New Town Taskforce. 

Bicester and Mid-Cherwell has a diverse economy, benefiting from its location within the Oxfordshire Knowledge Spine and Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Key industries include retail, motorsports, defence, and distribution. Bicester Village is a major employer and tourist destination, attracting around 6 million visitors annually. Bicester Motion is another significant site, focused on historic motor vehicles and future mobility technologies, including drones and electric flying taxis. The town is well-connected via the A41, M40, A34, and two railway stations - Bicester North and Bicester Village- linking it to major cities. Its flat terrain supports walking and cycling, with National Cycle Route 51 passing through. 

Bicester is expected to grow by 18% by 2031, with new housing and employment developments planned within Bicester and Mid-Cherwell, including the North-West Bicester development and sites along the A41 corridor as outlined in the Cherwell District Council Local Plan 2042.

Key facts and figures

• First documented in Domesday Book (1086)
• 58,570 residents in 2021
• 66,100 residents in 2030
• 7,977 new homes from 2020 to 2042 and further 4,075 beyond 2042 at NW Bicester, further 100 in Mid-Cherwell
• 150 hectares of land for new employment
• Designated as a Garden Town in 2014
  Also as a Healthy Town and Eco-town
• A garrison town, hosting the Ministry of Defence
• Bicester Village attracted over 7 million visitors in 2019

Transport links include:

• Bus services to Oxford, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, and London
• Town centre is accessible within 30 minutes by walking or 10 minutes by cycling
• 2 railway stations with regular services to Birmingham, Oxford and London
• Future direct connections to Milton Keynes and Cambridge via East West Rail
• Direct access to A41 linking to M40

Travel and commuting

• 35% of commuting trips start and end in Bicester
• 65% of residents travel to work by driving
• 88% of households own at least one car (vs. 77% national average)
• 49% of households own multiple vehicles (vs. 35% national average)

Map of Bicester and Mid-Cherwell

Challenges and opportunities

Bicester and Mid-Cherwell is undergoing significant changes that will affect movement and connectivity across the area. These changes will provide challenges and opportunities that we can take advantage of to make Bicester and Mid-Cherwell a healthy, sustainable and connected place.

Future growth 

The Cherwell Local Plan identifies Bicester as a central area for growth, with 7,977 homes planned by 2042 and 4,075 more at North-West Bicester beyond that. Heyford Park will receive 2,342 homes, and Mid-Cherwell has 100 allocated under Policy RUR 1- together representing a third of Cherwell’s total growth. Additionally, 150 hectares of employment land are planned in Bicester, subject to the Government’s New Town Taskforce. These developments will support sustainable transport, reduce car dependency, and improve public spaces. Investment in active travel, public transport, and biodiversity will enhance community wellbeing, climate resilience, economic appeal across the region to create more liveable places.

Improving connectivity

Planned growth in Bicester and Mid-Cherwell offers a chance to improve walking, wheeling, cycling, and public transport by addressing gaps and barriers. The goal is to make these modes the preferred choice for local and regional travel, linking new developments to existing routes and key destinations. Infrastructure upgrades will include pedestrian corridors, cycle lanes, e-bike facilities, and micromobility hubs. Public transport will be enhanced and integrated with other modes. These changes will reduce car dependency, improve air quality and health, and support economic and social growth by expanding access to jobs and services across the area.

Health, wellbeing and inequalities

Increasing walking, wheeling, and cycling improves physical and mental health, reduces obesity, and strengthens community connection. Poor urban design and car dominance contribute to isolation, pollution, and health risks. Bicester’s air quality, though improving, still exceeds WHO guidelines, with pollutants linked to respiratory diseases. Active travel infrastructure can reduce reliance on cars and promote healthier lifestyles. Transport poverty affects access to jobs and services, especially in deprived areas. Equitable access to sustainable transport is essential for reducing health inequalities. Meeting air quality targets could save lives and reduce NHS and social care costs, supporting climate and public health goals.

Place-shaping - Bicester as a Garden Town 

In 2014, Bicester was designated a Garden Town to support healthy living through green spaces and sustainable development. The North West Bicester development, named the UK’s first eco-town, promotes sustainability and blue-green infrastructure. Movement and place strategies aim to reduce car reliance by encouraging walking, wheeling, cycling, and public transport. Initiatives like NHS England’s Health Routes support daily physical activity. Future placemaking will reflect Bicester’s heritage and improve access to healthcare and community facilities across Mid-Cherwell, using Marmot Principles to ensure equal opportunities for all residents.

Walking, wheeling and cycling

Bicester and Mid-Cherwell can become more accessible for walking, wheeling, and cycling through infrastructure improvements, demand management, and behaviour change. Bicester’s flat, compact layout makes it ideal for active travel, yet most short trips are still made by car. Enhancing cycle routes and encouraging modal shift can deliver health, environmental, and social benefits. In rural Mid-Cherwell, e-bikes and improved connectivity can reduce car reliance and social isolation. Infrastructure upgrades will support children’s independence and healthier lifestyles. Government research and Cycling UK highlight strong demand for better rural transport options. These changes will foster stronger, more connected communities and improve wellbeing.

Enhancing public transport

Bicester offers strong public transport links via bus and rail to destinations like Oxford, London, and Birmingham. Despite this, fewer than 10% of residents commute by public transport, with most choosing to drive. To maximise the services, enhancements will be required particularly for the villages of Mid-Cherwell who do not have same level of service as Bicester. Enhancing services through priority lanes, better integration, and improved reliability and affordability is essential. Programmes like the Bus Service Improvement Plan and East-West Rail aim to boost connectivity and make public transport more viable. These changes must be carefully planned to suit local needs, including resolving issues like the London Road Level Crossing. Increasing public transport use will support sustainability and long-term service viability.

Road safety  

By improving and managing the road network we can ensure the residents can move around by any mode safely within an inclusive transport network.

The Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) adopted a Vision Zero approach which aims to eliminate all Killed or Seriously Injured incidents (KSIs) on Oxfordshire’s roads and streets, with the Council seeking to ‘have zero, or as close as possible, road fatalities or life-changing injuries’ by 2050. Minimising road danger is fundamental in creating a safe environment for those walking, wheeling, riding a bike and using public transport. 

Vehicle trips

Bicester’s location near the M40 makes the A41 a major route, carrying 36,000 vehicles daily and creating heavy traffic through the town’s central corridor, including the AQMA on King’s End and Queens Avenue. To support projected growth in Bicester and Mid-Cherwell, transport systems must offer more choice and reduce reliance on cars. Working with partners, the goal is to meet LTCP targets of cutting one in four vehicle trips by 2030 and one in three by 2040, supporting growth, sustainability, and the Vision Zero ambition for road safety.

Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure

The UK government has set out its plan to phase out new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and new hybrids beyond 2035. There are currently over 90 public charge points within Bicester, some of which are rapid and others with limited access. To support the government targets within Bicester and surrounding villages there will need to be a scaled-up delivery of zero emission vehicle (ZEV) charging infrastructure to enable residents to make the transition to ZEV and providing required infrastructure for people visiting Bicester. 

Summary of objectives and actions

Objective BIC1: Creating a sense of place through implementing a healthy place-shaping interventions.

1.1 Prepare a strategy and action plan to develop place shaping solutions for improved public realm within the town centre, central corridor, local/district centres and surrounding villages. For example, Heyford Park and Ambrosden.  

1.2 Build upon and deliver a cohesive wayfinding scheme, to benefit all residents and visitors.

1.3 Conduct an audit across Bicester and villages within Mid-Cherwell using Healthy Streets Toolkit, reviewing crossing points, side roads, barriers to support implementation of place-shaping schemes along with inclusive and accessible walking, wheeling and cycling routes.  

1.4 Collaborate with the community and partners to support the introduction of murals, artwork, rest places, greener spaces, pocket parks, and community parks.

1.5 Collaborate with communities and partners to identify locations to deliver play streets.

1.6 Working with partners to explore regeneration opportunities in and around the     town centre with a focus on place shaping.

Objective BC2: Deliver a comprehensive and inclusive walking, wheeling and cycling network.

2.1 Ensure the delivery of walking, wheeling and cycling schemes contained within    adopted documents (such as LCWIPs and SATN) to create seamless links to existing and new developments and any subsequent update to them

2.2 Create a strategy and action plan to deliver quality pedestrian corridors to integrate with other modes of transport

2.3 Explore opportunities to work with partners and stakeholders to create movement corridors which enable and prioritise extensive walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport

2.4 Work with the community and partners to deliver behaviour change to support the delivery of walking, wheeling and cycling schemes and to influence modal patterns away from car usage. 

2.5 To support the delivery of schemes in the capital programme:

a. Middleton Stoney Road Active Travel Scheme. 
b. London Road Active Travel Scheme.

2.6 Progress schemes in the pipeline.  

A41 (close to M40 Junction 9/Siemens access to Vendee Drive)  

b. A41 (county boundary towards the A4421 Roundabout   
a. ‘Cattle Creep’ scheme  

2.7 Develop blue green infrastructure including investigate changes to the PRoW and Greenway network to enable use by a wider range of Non-Motorised Users for different journey purposes

2.8 Work with partners to deliver a suite of behaviour change initiatives which will support the delivery of new infrastructure and provide the skills and confidence to walk, wheel and cycle, including but not limited to: 

a. Bikeability for schools, families and adults. 
b. Work with partners to explore a community bike loan scheme. 
c. Explore opportunities to work with local employers to deliver bike share schemes. 
d. Work with partners to develop Active Travel Hub / Bike Kitchen.  

2.9 Ensure all developments provide direct links to wider walking, cycling and wheeling schemes such as LCWIP, SATN, PRoW and Greenway routes to align with Oxfordshire County Council's standards (e.g. cycling and walking).

2.10 Prepare a strategy and action plan to deliver with partners a network of inclusive cycle parking, hubs, hangars including provision for non-standard cycles within the town centre and along key bus routes.

2.11 Remove or redesign Access Control Barriers to ensure walking, cycling and wheeling is accessible to everyone with no barriers in place for continuous movement.

2.12 Work with partners and the community to assess the feasibility of an e-scooter and e-bike network.

Objective BIC3: Enhance bus infrastructure.

3.1 Working alongside public transport operators to develop a strategy and action plan for a bus route hierarchy and to implement bus prioritisation/SMART infrastructure along key movement corridors including as per IDP: 

a. Bus priority on B4030 and Vendee Drive Roundabout improvements. 
b. Improvements to A41 corridor; infrastructure improvements and bus priority to enable greater reliability on the A41 corridor to/from Junction 9 to Ploughley Lane.
c. B4100 between Baynard’s Green roundabout and A4095 junction. 
d. Bus only link, west of Howes Lane – link to the Howes Lane and Lords Lane realignment.
e. Through route for buses between the A4421 Charbridge Lane and A41 Aylesbury Road.  

3.2 Develop a strategy and action plan with local community and stakeholders to identify opportunities for the improvement of bus infrastructure/hubs (e.g. waiting facilities, location for new bus stops, Real Time Information, AI, raised kerbs, lighting, shelters, CCTV, onward travel maps and greening/solar.) including the following:  

a. Town Centre interchange at Pioneer Square. 
b. Bus routes into strategic employment sites. 
c. Bus routes through North West Bicester and Middleton Stoney Road. 

3.3 Work with stakeholders to investigate the opportunities to enhance bus stops and public realm at Pioneer Square and assess future needs. 

3.4 Explore solutions where there is conflict between public transport and other transport modes. 

3.5 Work with public transport operators to deliver a zero-emission bus fleet within Bicester and Mid Cherwell.

Objective BIC4: Enhance bus services.

4.1 Develop a strategy and action plan with stakeholders and partners to identify opportunities to deliver and fund long distance coach services which link to regional and national locations.

4.2 Work with operators to provide new services to existing communities, new residential areas and existing/new employment, community and bus services linking to surrounding villages. 

a. NW Bicester bus service connecting to the town centre. 
b. Investigate the potential of providing a new bus service to strategic employment sites (developments to fund additional services).
c. Heyford Park.
d. Other areas across Mid Cherwell. 

4.3 Work with partners to enhance bus services to meet demands, with consideration given to increasing frequencies (including "turn up and go" services) and express, or limited stop services and the optimisation of existing services. 

4.4 Work with bus operators and employers to ensure improved reliability, attractiveness and resilience of services.     

4.5 Work with partners to develop a digital strategy to support the bus network within Bicester and surrounding areas.

4.6 Work with partners to develop a behavioural strategy to raise awareness about the existing bus network and enhancements.    

Objective BIC5: Create a network of mobility hubs.

5.1 Explore the feasibility and opportunities to provide a network of mobility hubs   within Bicester including, including but not limited to:

a. Bicester North Railway Station. 
b. Bicester Village Railway Station. 
c. Bicester Park and Ride. 
d. Pioneer Square.
e. Explore other strategic locations across Mid-Cherwell.  

5.2 Explore opportunities to improve mobility hubs by: 

a. Improving waiting facilities.   
b. Providing digital connectivity. 
c. Providing rest, and toilet facilities, etc. 
d. Providing cycle parking and connections.   
e. Providing EV charging facilities, helping to support parcel/taxi operators. 
f. Linking to long distance coach services. 
g. Co-locating with complimentary land uses and services. 

Objective BIC6: Work alongside partners to improve rail services and infrastructure

6.1 Support and promote additional services to improve the passenger experience at Bicester North and Bicester Village Rail Stations.

6.2 Bicester Village Railway Station 

a. Support the upgrade of the station to accommodate an increase in patronage by enhancing the waiting facilities, interaction of bus and train services, alongside information and improve and enhance cycling and e-mobility.
b. Support the delivery of East West Rail services unlocking the benefits of regional connectivity between Oxford and Cambridge.
c. Work with partners to deliver 5G connectivity along the East West Rail route.
d. Promote and support the delivery of the electrification of the East West Rail route. 

6.3 Work with EWR Company to ensure they deliver an alternative to the London Road Crossing making appropriate provision for walking, wheeling, cycling, public transport and motor vehicle solutions, and to consider appropriate opportunities to maximise sustainable and active door-to-door connectivity. 

6.4 Bicester North Railway Station 

a. Explore feasibility of additional pedestrian access. 
b. Assess existing and future parking capacity. 
c. Develop feasibility to enhance cycling access.

6.5 Heyford Railway Station 

a. Work with stakeholders to explore better connectivity between Heyford Station and the residential areas. Subject to the New Towns Taskforce decision, further collaboration will be required to ensure seamless door to door connectivity between Heyford Station (other stations) and Heyford Park. 
b. Work with partners to monitor the impact of future e-bike trials in Heyford Park.  
c. Explore feasibility of enhanced rail connectivity to support employment, education and leisure. 

6.6 Ensure delivery of high-quality public transport and walking, wheeling and cycling links with all rail stations in Bicester area.

6.7 Provide charging infrastructure for zero-emission battery trains.

6.8 Enhance station facilities to meet future population growth, and to improve accessibility and consider opportunities for new stations.

Objective BIC7: Support the development of a car club network and car share schemes.

7.1 Identify with partners a comprehensive network of car clubs, including the prioritisation of parking for car clubs. 

7.2 Aim for car clubs to be zero emission only. 

7.3 Work with developers and business to provide EV charging and parking to support car clubs and car share. 

7.4 Collaborate with partners and businesses to develop a car share awareness/ expansion programme. 

Objective BIC8: Implement demand management measures in areas which are well served by sustainable transport.

8.1 Identify the demand management tools and appropriate locations where these may be required in short to medium term, agree further measures to compliment the delivery of Southeast Peripheral Road to enable an increase in walking, wheeling and cycling for local journeys within Bicester.  

8.2 Identify and deliver School Zones.

8.3 Using a Safe System approach, we will reduce vehicle speeds inside Bicester’s peripheral roads and throughout residential areas to prioritise the safe movement of people within Bicester.

8.4 Work with partners to investigate opportunities to consolidate public parking within the town centre, to reduce the need to travel by car as per the LTCP, to prioritise sustainable travel. 

8.5 Work with partners to limit the number of parking spaces at existing and future employment hubs, through the implementation of Travel Plans and sustainable travel measures.   

8.6 Explore the viability of a Clean Air Zone and Zero Emission Zone identified in the CDC Air Quality Action Plan 2024.

8.7 Explore opportunities to deliver a Workplace Parking Levy and Control Parking Zones.

Objective BIC9: Deliver movement infrastructure schemes.

9.1 Support the delivery of:  

a. A4095 realignment (NW Bicester). 
b. Highways and environmental improvements to the central corridor: Kings End to Queen Ave.  
c. Improvements to Middleton Stoney Road / Kings End / Oxford Road roundabout.
d. Caversfield junction improvements (Junction of Aunt Ems Lane and B4100) 
e. Western corridor Changes and improvements to Howes Lane/Bucknell Road Junction: North West Bicester all other phases.  

Objective BIC10: Deliver future movement infrastructure schemes.

10.1 Progress the current ongoing schemes in the pipeline:  

a. Eastern Peripheral Movement Corridor.

10.2  Work with partners to develop the following previously identified schemes:

b. A41 Corridor / South East Peripheral Road. 
c. Vendee Drive / A41 highway improvements.

Objective BIC11: Work with freight and delivery operators to improve movement efficiency and provide zero emission deliveries.

11.1 Explore opportunities to identify further HGV restrictions in areas with high walking, wheeling and cycling movements and consider enforcement.

11.2 Collaborate with partners to develop feasibility of first and last mile delivery hubs using cargo bikes and e-cargo bikes at employment sites.

11.3 Support the rollout of parcel / grocery lockers at key transport locations such as Bicester Village and Bicester North Rail Station’s, Bicester Bus Interchange (Pioneer Square), Heyford Park, Bicester Park and Ride, Mobility Hubs, and local/ district centres to support integrated travel.

11.4 Explore opportunities which support the transition of freight from road to rail. 

11.5 Identify EV charging locations for freight. 

Objective BIC12: Deliver infrastructure and placemaking schemes which are resilient to changing climate.

12.1 Ensure development and highways schemes protect and enhance existing green and blue infrastructure in line with Cherwell District Council Local Plan. 

12.2 Develop a strategy to provide greening of and placing solar panels on bus stops, train stations, signage, mobility hubs, etc.  

12.3 Work with partners using nature-based solutions to ensure new green and blue infrastructure is created in new developments and highways schemes to protect and enhance biodiversity.

Objective BIC13: Utilise emerging and future technologies to develop innovation in Bicester.

13.1 Working with partners, explore innovation opportunities to support the delivery of the following, but not limited to:  

a. Electric charging hubs for bus, car, e-bikes etc. 
b. East-West Rail 5G network Bicester and Bletchley (short term) and between Oxford and Bicester on to Milton Keynes (long term). 
c. Develop integrated SMART Infrastructure. 
d. Work with partners to develop a zero-emission shared self-driving vehicles to link key employment sites. 
e. Deliver EV charging infrastructure at Bicester Park and Ride and across Bicester to enable the transition to EV vehicles.  
f. Drone flights at Bicester Motion.
g. Explore innovative Mobility as a Service (MaaS) solutions within Bicester. 
h. Utilising the growth in Bicester to explore innovative ways to integrate new developments and existing communities.   

13.2 We will seek to: 

a. Facilitate forthcoming new technology to inform future movement and place networks.  
b. Pro-actively seek funding opportunities to deliver and support innovation. 
c. Facilitate forthcoming new technology on our transport network.  
d. Undertake monitoring and evaluation of schemes. 
e. Support the county and other LAs by providing data and insights (living lab).

Planned infrastructure delivery

Work has already started to improve transport and movement in Bicester. There are a number of transport projects that have been delivered and are in progress. These are the following:

• Schemes delivered
  • Ploughley Road/ A41 junction improvements.
  • A41 Oxford Road corridor.
  • Highway capacity improvements to peripheral routes - western corridor.
  • Highway capacity improvements to peripheral routes - western corridor.
  • Pioneer Roundabout improvements.
  • Improvements to Middleton Stoney Road roundabout western end.
  • Charbridge Lane crossing.
  • Park & Charge infrastructure at Cattle Market and Claremont Car Parks.
  • Electric vehicle initiatives.
  • Car Club at Elmsbrook (NW Bicester Phase 1).
  • Bus facilities at Bicester Village Station.
  • North West Bicester Ecotown railway crossings (underpass) 2 crossings.
  • Delivery of high-quality public transport from all Strategic Sites to Bicester Town Centre and Rail Stations.
  • Improvements to A41 corridor.
  • Central corridor.
  • Bicester pedestrian and cycle links.
  • Bicester Wayfinding Project.
  • Bicester Pedestrian and cycle bridge over railway.
• Schemes in progress
  • Middleton Stoney Road Active Travel Scheme (an LCWIP route).
  • London Road Active Travel Scheme (an LCWIP route).
  • A41 Active Travel Scheme.
  • ‘Cattle Creep’ Scheme (an LCWIP route).
  • Banbury Road junction (B4100/A4095).
  • EV Charging Points.

Objectives summary

The table below sets out the objectives identified for Bicester and Mid-Cherwell and their connection to the nine MAP Plan outcomes: