PLANS to provide better access for walkers and cyclists to Bicester's planned health hub have taken a step in the right direction, but an obstacle still remains.

The planning application that is already approved for the new Bicester Health and Wellbeing Hub in Graven Hill includes a 'carefully designed' footpath and cycleway to the main entrance.

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But Bicester Bike Users Group (Bicester BUG) and people in the town feel there needs to be another access point for pedestrians and cyclists on the opposite side of the site in the north west corner of the hub's car park.

Bicester Advertiser: Red marker shows where the Bicester Health and Wellbeing Hub will be built. Yellow marker shows the path that people would like to use to access the hub. Pic: Google MapsRed marker shows where the Bicester Health and Wellbeing Hub will be built. Yellow marker shows the path that people would like to use to access the hub. Pic: Google Maps

This would allow people to walk and cycle there along an unofficial footpath that is already being used.

Alchester Medical Group supports this proposal. Spokesperson Chris A'Court said: "Our practices want to help if possible and so, in response to the requests, the GPs have said they will keep that corner of the new car park open and not put up any fence or hedge - so that cyclists or walkers can easily get through if they choose to approach the hub from that direction."

However, in order to pass through, cyclists and walkers would need to be granted access to cross a small piece of land that is owned by Graven Hill Village Development Company (GHVDC), but it has reservations because 'the land may be subject to further proposals in the future'.

Bicester Advertiser: The old Rodney House Social Centre entrance route which BicesterBUG wants to be protected for path to health hub to be built. Pic by Bicester BUGThe old Rodney House Social Centre entrance route which BicesterBUG wants to be protected for path to health hub to be built. Pic by Bicester BUG

Chris added: "It appears that GHVDC is not presently agreeable to this for reasons unknown."

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Bicester BUG is glad Alchester has welcomed providing better access for walkers and cyclists to the hub.

George Bennett, chair of Bicester BUG said: "The path from the London Road, via the underpass under the A41 has been used for generations of Bicester residents to access the MoD site and Rodney House Social Centre, and more recently to access Graven Hill.

Bicester Advertiser: Bicester Health and Wellbeing HubBicester Health and Wellbeing Hub

"It is an important link because it provides the safest and shortest access route for walkers and cyclists from most of Bicester. We are really pleased that the Alchester Medical Group have listened to residents' concerns and have agreed to preserve the possibility of access to the new super surgery from this direction.

"There is still work to do however. 50metres of tree-lined path that used to be the entrance to the Rodney House Social Centre is now controlled by GHVDC, but not dedicated for any purpose on the master plan."

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Graven Hill says the proposed additional path is on undeveloped land and that 'any consideration of additional access routes would require the application to be re-submitted, causing further delay to this important facility'.

A spokesperson added: "As always, when bringing forward any future proposals Graven Hill will ensure dedicated walking and cycle infrastructure is provided."

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