T RAFFIC lights could be introduced on a busy Cowley junction as part of plans to make the area safer for cyclists.

Oxford City Council is looking to improve links between Cowley and the Leys, one of dozens of projects it is considering as part of the Cycling City scheme.

It would involve spending £30,000 on a number of high priority projects to make the area more friendly for cyclists.

At the moment the area can become busy with cars and bicycles travelling between Cowley, Blackbird Leys and the city centre.

Clearer cycle paths will be created along Barns Road, Blackbird Leys Road and Between Towns Road and they will also be coloured.

Changes will also be made to the junction priority where Barns Road meets Between Towns Road. Mr Cook said this could include a range of measures including traffic lights.

Colin Cook, the city council’s board member for city development, said he was working with Oxfordshire County Council on some of the schemes.

He said: “This scheme will improve the number of people cycling and using their bikes to get into town and out of town.

“We have found that if you improve the opportunities for cycling and give people better provision then they usually take it up. Making changes to the Barns Road and Between Towns Road junction will make it safer for cyclists.”

Keen cyclist Sven Taylor, 37, who lives in Temple Road, said: “The fact that they are investing in this shows the right attitude towards cycling.

“Infrastructure like cycle lanes is good for encouraging people to use their bikes but drivers tend to ignore them.

“I cycle my two-year-old child around and I feel fairly confident.”

Funds for the scheme will be coming from several sources.

From its capital budget the city council will be spending £100,000 in the first two years of the scheme, with a further £50,000 in the two years after that.

Another £500,000 would come from section 106 money which is paid to the authority by developers.

The council will also be spending £10,000 a year over four years from its revenue budget.