Cyclist launches campaign for safe route through field

A COUNCILLOR has proposed a safe cycling route between Goring and Wallingford to avoid speeding cars.

Robin Williamson, who sits on Goring Parish Council, is a keen cyclist who is determined to find a safe route between the two villages.

Travelling from Goring to Wallingford by bridleway is around 6.5 miles but between South Stoke and Little Stoke along the route, cyclists are forced on to the 50mph B4009 road.

But in South Stoke, about three miles in, there are fields which could be suitable for a permissive bridleway.

About 200m has already been agreed by the landowner of a second field, closer to Wallingford. The creation of this path would allow cyclists to travel the whole journey in low-traffic and car-free zones.

Councillor Williamson said: “For many years, there has been a blockage which prevents safe passage by bike or horse between South Stoke and Little Stoke.

“Currently, there are two routes for walkers and hikers. One is along the Thames River as part of the Ridgeway National Trail. This is not suitable for either bikes or horses due to the flooded and boggy nature of the surface and is currently designated for walkers only.

“The second route is also a right-of-way footpath, with styles through land owned by Christ Church college and Little Stoke Manor Farm. Due to the presence of livestock in the latter, the landowner has indicated support for an alternative route through a field adjacent to the main Wallingford Road.”

Cllr Williamson believes establishing this low-car route would be a major asset to active travel in South Oxfordshire.

“Not only has the route been identified as one of the strategic links in Oxfordshire County Council’s strategic active travel network but it will link Wallingford to the mainline GWR station at Goring and Streatley and provide an ideal, quiet and relatively flat route for young Bikeability-trained children, teenagers to take on part-time jobs and commuters.

“Without a safe route, cyclists and horse riders have to brave the 50mph Wallingford Road, the B4009, or face a much longer detour via Ipsden.” Cllr Williamson said Crowmarsh Gifford, Whitchurch, South Stoke and Goring parish councils are in favour of his proposals.

Maggie Filipova-Rivers, deputy leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, and Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo have also joined Cllr Williamson on the ride to see the challenges faced by cyclists on the route.

A spokeswoman for Christ Church said: “We appreciate the thought and recognise the importance of improving access for families and cyclists.

“However, the South Stoke Estate is currently subject to a wider review and parts of the land in question may need to be reserved for other uses.

“In this context, Christ Church is not in a position to agree to the creation of a permissive path or a new public right of way across this field at present but we will keep the proposal in mind as our plans for the estate develop.”