Cycling is set to be approved on a pedestrianised street in Bicester by Oxfordshire County Council this week.

This will be the introduction of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to permit two-way cycling throughout Sheep Street, Bicester, at all times of day. 

The cabinet member for transport management, Andrew Gant, is recommended to approve this and will be temporarily superseding the existing 'no cycling order' at the Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Transport Management meeting on Thursday, November 14. 

Mr Gant is also recommended to request officers to "continually review in detail and stop the trial if there are any pedestrian safety concerns that cannot be suitably promptly addressed".

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Currently, cycling is prohibited at all times on Sheep Street.

The public was asked to share their views on proposals to allow two-way cycling on Sheep Street through the town centre of Bicester during a consultation which ended on Saturday, August 31. 

This was a chance for residents to have their say on the proposals.

If the trial is approved on Thursday, a new public consultation will be held for the first six months of the trial for people to give their views on cycling in Sheep Street.

The responses to this second consultation will also be reported to Mr Gant. 

They will decide if cycling should be made permanent.

This could include cycling at all times, or cycling only at specific times; or it may be decided that cycling should not be permitted.

Traders have previously raised health and safety concerns, particularly regarding health and safety for elderly people. 

John O'Leary, landlord of McCafferty's at the White Hart on Sheep Street, told us in August: "It's definitely a no-go for me - for the simple reason I sit out the front watching everyday and the street is full of elderly people with zimmer frames, mobility scooters and mothers with push chairs.

"From what I've seen myself, my main concern is health and safety."

Holly Lewis, who works at Lewis' Butchers on Sheep Street, said: "We don't need it.

"People will speed along here - when it's busy on a Friday you can't see up the street.

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"I think it will be a bit dangerous."

She added: "Sheep Street is a pedestrianised street and it should stay that way."

Oxfordshire County Council previously said the goal was to "enhance active travel in Bicester by making Sheep Street more accessible to cyclists".

It added it aims to "provide significant benefits for cyclists by improving the choice of routes across Bicester".