Oxfordshire’s largest bus operator has formally backed Oxford United’s new stadium, describing the Club’s plans as “game-changing”.
In a letter to Cherwell District Council, Oxford Bus Company – part of the Go-Ahead Group – confirmed its support for plans to build a 16,000-capacity stadium and conference and events centre on land north of the city.
The bus operator said matchday plans for 90 per cent of supporters to travel to the stadium using sustainable modes of transport - such as buses, trains, cycling and walking - are both deliverable and effective.
Travel proposals include an enhanced matchday train timetable, park and ride services operating from Peartree, Thornhill, Redbridge, Seacourt and Eynsham, plus new walking and cycling routes, with 446 cycle parking spaces planned onsite.
Bus travel plans have been shaped following extensive discussions with fellow Go-Ahead Group Companies Go North East and Brighton and Hove Buses to understand how equivalent successful schemes work, with both operators supporting matchday travel plans for Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion respectively.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “We are satisfied the proposals have sufficient depth of definition and robustness to be considered deliverable and effective.
“This includes a further expansion of our matchday special buses, which form a substantial proportion of the fan travel offer.
“This is about so much more than football, or even professional sport more broadly. The game-changing proposals envisage the new stadium as a community landmark, which contributes meaningfully to the wider economy and city.
“Such a vision will be achievable only with the highest level of accessibility by public transport through bus, coach and rail not only on match days, but throughout the week.
“The site benefits from a level of connectivity and capacity offered by the existing public transport network that is unmatched anywhere in the county outside Oxford city centre.
“We are committed to working closely and constructively with the Club, its client team, the planning authority and wider statutory consultees as the application progresses to determination.”
Oxford United’s new stadium plans feature a 180-room Radisson hotel, restaurant, conference centre, health and wellbeing space and a community plaza.
Twenty-two buses per hour will also operate on non-matchdays, providing regular connections to the stadium from Kidlington, Banbury, Bicester, Hanborough, Witney, Oxford city centre and Blackbird Leys.
Further information about the Club’s plans, including a comprehensive Travel Q&A, is available online via www.oufcstadium.co.uk.
