KEEP LONDON ROAD OPEN

The East West Rail consultation on options for the London Road crossing closes on 9 June. Their option 1 would close London Road and put in a pedestrian bridge. This would cut our town in two and force traffic onto the A41/ Oxford Road/ Kings End/ Queens Avenue.

If we want something better, we only have a few days to make our views known and our voices heard. The consultation will partly measure the number of independent responses received. By responding, YOU can increase the chances of keeping the road open.

Please take a few minutes to do just TWO things now.

Firstly whilst we are not affiliated to any political party we would encourage you sign the Lib Dems petition to keep the road open. Over 1250 people have already done so calling on East West rail to take option 1 off the table and confirm that they have no intention to close London Road to traffic.

Here’s the link: https://www.oxonlibdems.uk/londonroad

It sums the situation up the likely outcome of closing the crossing to traffic thus – “inconvenience and disruption to local journeys would be very significant: those living south-east of this junction would be effectively cut off from the town centre by car/ bus/ taxi.”

Secondly East West Rail through their consultation process so that they have your views. You can email consultation@eastwestrail.co.uk or send a note to Freepost EAST WEST RAIL

It doesn't need to be a long message and it should be in your words. But it needs to express a clear opinion. You might find the following guide helpful.

State which option you oppose and if you support any. For example "I am writing to oppose option 1 for the Bicester London Road crossing and state my preference for option [ ]".

Say how the option you oppose will affect you or people you care about. For example "I live in [ ] and have to travel regularly to [ ] in order to [take my child to school/ visit my elderly parent/ access healthcare etc]. I am concerned that my journey will take significantly longer/ that I will not be able to get to the [school/ clinic/ house] quickly in an emergency."

Give any other things that concern you. For example, you might describe the impact on the town centre shops or the sense that those living south of the crossing will be cut off from the rest of town or express worries about the volume of traffic on the A41.

Additionally Oxfordshire County Council, who have responsibility for the road, cover this issue on their website. https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/have-your-say-on-the-future-of-bicesters-london-road-level-crossing/

This webpage has a link to an EW Rail designed feedback form which is another way in which your views can be made known before 9 June although to use this you need to register and create an account. This is the direct link to this feedback form. https://communityhub.eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation-feedback/survey_tools/feedback

Alternatively you can send an email to consultation@eastwestrail.co.uk

We hope as many people as possible make their views known because the impact on the town will be significant particularly bearing in mind the volume of traffic in the area will almost certainly increase anyway with housing still being built on Kingsmere, the industrial units on Howes Lane to be let and the Great Wolf Water Park having been approved on appeal.