Cyclists are to be allowed to share a right of way with pedestrians through a busy shopping street.

Cycling on the pa ved area outside shops at the north end of St Ebbe's Street, Oxford, will now be officially allowed, following a change to the traffic regulation order.

To make the area cyclist-friendly a ramp is being built to replace the kerb between the paved area and the road.

Cycle parking is also being moved to widen the area so that both pedestrians and cyclists can use it safely.

Signs and cycle symbols are being put in place to make it clear to pedestrians that cyclists can also use the path.

The move follows a ban on cycling in Cornmarket Street and Queen Street.

Cllr Jean Fooks, chairman of the city highways committee, said: "There was some dissension over the changes because some people were concerned it might not be a good idea to allow shared space for cyclists and pedestrians.

"We did think about it at some length and decided it would be safer if we could provide enough width to cater for cyclists and pedestrians.

"It was agreed that segregating cyclists could be more dangerous than creating a situation where cyclists need to be aware of pedestrians, rather than having their own lane which pedestrians can step into."

The work is being funded by a grant from the Millennium Commission for improving the National Cycle Network.