The London Road level crossing in Bicester will be closed by East-West Rail. The only suitable solution for connecting pedestrians either side of the railway would be a pedestrian underpass. This should be considered separately from the issue of motor vehicles.

Once the East-West rail line is in full operation the crossing will be in use for up to 50 minutes every hour. The risk of collisions on the level crossing disrupting the rail service would necessitate its closure.

So far, the only pedestrian solution explored by East-West Rail is a high bridge. This would be unusable for vulnerable pedestrians due to the height and length, and would discourage many other pedestrians. To accommodate trains and future electrification, a bridge would need to be 2-3 storeys high (up to 8m), with either a large number of steps or a very long 1:20 sloped ramp.

By contrast, a pedestrian underpass could be less than one storey deep (as little as 2.5m), with a significantly shorter ramp. This would be accessible by most people and allow a much faster way to cross.  There is a safety issue with the limited capacity of a pedestrian bridge where cyclists, wheelchair users and pedestrians are all forced to share the same space at the top of the bridge. This is a very busy route which sees thousands of non-motorised journeys each day across the current level crossing.

The 5 other options offered by East-West Rail are for motor vehicles and would not be suitable for pedestrians: a motor vehicle overpass would be unusable due to steep gradients over a significant length. Pedestrian facilities alongside a road tunnel would result in an unattractive underground route over 300m long. East-West Rail therefore say that alternative pedestrian routes are needed. A motor vehicle underpass would likely be avoided by pedestrians concerned for their safety, particularly during darker hours. No consideration has yet been given to a separate pedestrian underpass here.

An 'off-line' pedestrian underpass (off the line of London Road motor vehicle route) could be built to connect the existing station car parks either side of the railway, providing a more accessible crossing between the station platforms than the proposed pedestrian bridge. A pedestrian underpass would also be accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles. The anticipated new pedestrian and cycle paths along London Road could connect to this and allow residents from Ambrosden, Graven Hill, Langford, and Wretchwick Green quick and comfortable access to the town centre.

A pedestrian connection here is vital because the east-west railway line in Bicester has already closed all of the other accessible crossings in Bicester, preventing movement between north and south of the railway. The existing A41 railway overpass is a fast 60mph road with no pavement; the Tubbs Lane level crossing has been closed with a high and inaccessible bridge; and the Jarvis Lane level crossing has been closed with a high and inaccessible bridge with no ramp.

Failure to provide a pedestrian underpass would undermine attempts to regenerate the town centre because it would discourage the growing population of people resident south and east of the railway from accessing services in the town centre. Over 3,000 new homes are planned south of the crossing between Bicester and Ambrosden within a 10 minute cycle of this crossing. It would also make it difficult for residents of Bicester without a car to access services south of the railway such as the new GP super surgery at Graven Hill, schools, care homes, and leisure and sports facilities being built south of the railway.

Additionally, providing a high level bridge would limit access from those who have specifically located themselves close to the town centre due to age or mobility. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, increasing numbers of residents are suffering from long-term effects, breathlessness, and reduced mobility and fitness. A bridge option would leave those affected by these additional health deteriorations unable to access community, food and basic local facilities. Providing a pedestrian underpass will maintain a vital lifeline to many people.