East Oxford active neighbourhoods

What are the improvements?

As part of our commitment to widening travel choices and making neighbourhoods better for residents, we have identified several locations in east Oxford that could be improved to make walking, cycling or wheeling safer, easier and more enjoyable. 

The improvements aim to:

• Connect neighbourhoods that are divided by a busy main road by making crossings better and safer.
• Calm traffic in selected locations to manage speeds and improve safety.
• Connect existing cycle and walking infrastructure, filling in missing links to maximise the benefits of what is already in place.
• Improve the condition and/or appearance of selected streets, footpaths, cycleways and crossings. This is known as public realm improvements.

Which neighbourhoods are part of the scheme?

The area covered by the scheme stretches across east Oxford, including Cowley and Littlemore. This is known as the East Oxford Active Neighbourhood (EOAN) area.

Work done to select improvement areas

In 2024, a study by an independent consultancy identified a large number of potential improvements that could benefit the EOAN area by making walking, cycling and wheeling safer and more attractive.

In 2025, work to prioritise measures was undertaken by stakeholders, council officers and our appointed consultants.

 Measures include:

• New crossings
• Improvements stemming from developer contributions (S106)
• Placemaking – working with communities to make areas more welcoming, including fixing and upgrading the built environment (public realm improvements)
• Street improvements

We now need to ensure the proposed changes reflect the needs and preferences of residents and businesses. 

Project objectives

1. Maximise benefits of existing walking and cycling infrastructure/ initiatives that help build towards the Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan vision
2. Improve connectivity in areas with poor health outcomes with the city centre and other key destinations.
3. Improve connectivity in areas with lower-than-average incomes to the city centre and other key destinations.
4. Improve accessibility to wider public transport and mobility travel options.
5. Enable more children to walk, cycle and wheel to school and be active.
6. Enable more people to walk, cycle, wheel and be active.
7. To enhance the public realm and improve the climate adaptability of streets including through greening.
8. Improve the quality of space and durability of highway features around traffic filter points.   
9. Start work earlier on parts of the project that are easier to deliver.
10. To draw on best practice in the engagement of communities in project development and delivery.

Next steps

Scheme designs will then be developed and presented for public consultation in spring 2026.

Subject to approvals, we expect the project to be delivered in 2027.  

Funding

The improvements are funded through a combination of Section 106 developer monies and county council capital funding.

Contact us

If you wish to get in touch with the project team, please contact eastoxfordactiveneighbourhood@oxfordshire.gov.uk