A NEW cycling scheme could turn Didcot into a “Mini-Holland” with a network of joined up priority lanes between housing developments.

The county’s Local Transport Plan includes a cycle plan for the Science Vale area which has secured funding from the Local Enterprise Partnership and the Department for Transport.

Cycling organisation Sustrans is putting together a report on how this could be achieved and its author outlined a vision to copy the Netherlands with a cycle-first approach.

Area manager Peter Challis said: “Didcot is one of the largest growth towns in the South East and part of the Science Vale area.

“We are coming up with a mini-Holland idea for cycling improvements to make the town better connected.

“While it will be still be possible to drive around in a car we want to make it easier and give cyclists priority routes.”

More than 30 per cent of the Dutch population listed cycling as their main mode of transport, according to the European Commission Future of Transport report.

Many of the country’s roads have separate cycleways with their own traffic lights, tunnels and lanes.

In cities, improved infrastructure has led to more direct routes for cyclists than motorists.

Mr Challis said all of these things would be looked at for Didcot in his report, expected to be completed later this month.

Mr Challis said: “The initial report will be an ideas piece relating to Didcot and what we can do particularly in the town centre.

“The key is segregated infrastructure and separate provision for cyclists.”

Chairman of Harwell Bicycle Users Group, Kevin Wilkinson said: “This is the sort of thing we have been putting forward to the county council for several years.

“In this country cyclists have to give way to cars and journeys are very stop-start so priority cycle routes would be very good.

The regular cyclist said with new housing developments in the pipeline an all-encompassing approach was needed.

He said: “The provision varies at the moment, for example with Great Western Park there wasn’t really any plan for cyclists but the new Didcot North East plans seem to have good cycle links.

“We really want a fast, safe and joined up cycling network around Didcot.

Manager at Mountain Mania bike shop in the town, Paul Lynn, said more priority for cyclists was a must.

He said: “It’s crucial we have more provisions, cycling safety and the number of accidents is an issue.

“It’s about safety first of all, but also family enjoyment “It benefits your health and cycle ways will encourage people to cycle to work.”