National Route 5 of the National Cycle Network runs all the way from Reading to Holyhead – and right through Abingdon. But here in town it has never quite lived up to the standard you’d expect of a national route. The paths in and out of Abingdon have been resurfaced in recent years, but there’s still room for improvement between St Helen’s Church and the Abbey Gateway. At the moment, cyclists have to take a long detour and then dismount – so many instead risk heading the wrong way up East St Helen Street.
Oxfordshire County Council has now published plans to improve things. The aim is to make cycling and walking through the town centre safer, with a new contraflow on East St Helen Street to legitimise what some cyclists already do.
The scheme also looks to sort out the junction at the top of East St Helen Street, improving it for people on foot, on bikes, or using mobility scooters. An outline was first put forward by local cycling enthusiasts, then refined by transport specialists – and now it’s open for wider comment through a public consultation. The junction plans include additional zebra crossings and the use of an enlarged island in the middle.
More crossings do mean more time when traffic has to stop, slowing traffic coming up Bridge Street or along Stert Street, where there are already other pedestrian lights.
The funding is already secured: a £1.47 million government grant from the Active Travel Fund will cover design and construction.
The public consultation runs from 30 September to 28 October 2025, with drop-in events at the Guildhall on:
Saturday 11 October, 10am–3pm
Tuesday 14 October, 4pm–7pm
A consultation report is expected in December. Final designs should follow in spring 2026, with construction due to start that spring and finish by summer 2026.
Details and the online consultation can be found at: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/eaststhelenstreet
Will cars still ge able to go from Stert Street and Bridge Street onto East St Helen’s? The mock-up outside Fatface implies not. And I’m not sure it’s wide enough for a safe contraflow. I cycle that route daily (obeying the one way system), and every now and then a car tries to squeeze past and ends up frightening us both. Or is the contraflow just from Lombard Street to the top? That would work. And provide some safety for the foolish parents who currently cycle the wrong way with their small children on the back of their bikes.
I left this repy on an earlier post, but it’s more appropriate here:
When the transformation of the Lodge Hill interchange is completed the balance of traffic along the two main arterial roads to and from the A34 will change and I’d prefer to see exactly what happens then before deciding how a such a large amount of money is spent. For example, it could well be that the one-way inner ring-road (Stratton Way, Stert Street, High Street)) could be re-introduced to the great advantage of traffic-flow.
In addition, should the illustrated scheme be introduced how’s traffic going to move around the East/West St Helens, HIgh Street, Iron Bridge area and into South Abingdon, etc. when the Fair’s in Town? Go down and go figure this weekend …
But, of course, the traffic planners. with their consultants flown in from faraway places like Henley, will have all bases covered …. just like the geniuses who told us that the Morland Gardens development wouldn’t increase the traffic along the Drayton Road during ‘rush hour’ …
Their proposal suggests a contra flow cycle lane the full length of East St Helens Street which I think is dangerous and unworkable. A cycle lane from Lombard Street towards the confluence of Bridge Street/Stert Street/High Street could work but would need the present parking bays to be removed behind the Museum from Bridge Street to past The Kings Head and Bell.
The multiple pedestrian crossings to me look like they are trying to get too much done in too small a space and it suggests that the exclusion of the motor vehicle is the primary objective without provision of an alternative such as an alternative river crossing as was provided in Wallingford.
I’m all for progress and not a fan of cyclists as I feel they often ignore the provided cycling infrastructure and still cycle on the road. However, whatever approach is taken I feel it should be sympathetic to Abingdons heritage and what remains of its charm. Plastering big zebra crossings, orange tarmac and bollards all through the centre will detract from the look and feel of an historic market place centre
Colin, there are cyclists and then there are cyclists. I’m one of the good, well-behaved ones, and get just as cross as you when the bad ones flout the rules. They give us all a bad name! Oh, and I entirely agree with you about the look of the scheme.
Colin – you may not be a fan of cyclists but if it wasn’t for us and all cyclists used our cars instead, then we’d make the traffic queues even longer than they are now making your journey even longer. Have you ever tried to use a cycle lane – they never run the whole length of a road and peter out, so are we supposed to just stop when they do? Equally cycle lanes aren’t smooth, they’re full of potholes and lumps which if you hit with 2 wheels you can be thrown into the road. And don’t get me started on people who park on cycle lanes forcing cyclists to venture out into your precious road (god forbid) 🙄
The council are encouraging cycling and walking and it’s only right a better infrastructure is provided for our safety.
I do agree with others here that running a contra flow the full length of East St Helen’s isn’t going to work – it’s too narrow and currently cars can’t pass a cyclist going in the same direction as them, so imagine meeting a car coming the other way. A contra flow is only needed from Lombard Street.
Please look at the plans in detail and send in comments. It’s a draft and needs on the ground input. As someone who spends a lot of time in East St Helen Street the contraflow seems nuts. Or maybe entertaining, as we wait to see who wins – Co-op lorry or cyclist. Either way more bikes will be on the pavement as there is zero room to pass.
The plans also include planters in East St Helen’s which will impede drainage and cause water to back up during heavy rain. (The gutters turn into torrents which drain down towards the river.) Plus there’s planned further danger to unsuspecting pedestrians by obscuring vehicle exit points with “continuous footway” where residents access their off street parking.
The actual junction proposals – the only bit we were actual expecting, seem good if over fussy.
It’s an easy solution…
Just put in a “board walk” (wider enough for cycles and pedestrians) from the wharf to the bridge, along the rivers edge… Most of that route is already fouled up with detritus anyway…just formalise it?
But I do agree with others…it’s far better to employ the con- sultans to make their recommendations….get paid….and never be heard from again when it doesn’t work. Remember, those geniuses about Moorland Gardens came to look at the double roundabouts to assess the school pupils use of the space…they came on a Saturday. Plus…they told us that moving the pedestrian crossing to The Unicorn School would help… When do we get our refund?
It is hardly a ‘detour’ for cyclists to ride up W S Helen and Lombard Street!