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ITEM EX12

ST BARNABAS SCHOOL OXFORD - BETTER WAYS TO SCHOOL

Introduction

1. This report details the response to the consultation on a package of traffic measures that have been devised with the intention of encouraging parents and children to walk and cycle to school.
2. The proposals form part of the Better Ways to School project that is being developed in partnership with St Barnabas School, Oxford. Two areas of concern have been identified in discussion with the school: crossing facilities on Walton Well Road at its junction with Walton Street and the narrow roads directly around the school itself.

Consultation

3. Initial consultation with the school, including an exhibition on a number of measures, was undertaken last summer. The measures have been developed in response to the comments received from the school, parents and interested parties and have now been consulted upon more widely.
4. Consultation on a Zebra Crossing in Walton Well Road was undertaken between 11 December 2001 and 11 January 2002. This resulted in an objection from W Lucy and Co Ltd who considered the crossing would be too close to their delivery entrance. A reduced scale copy of the drawing is shown at Annex 1.
5. Informal consultation with local residents and businesses on measures in Hart Street, Jericho Street and King Street adjacent to the school was undertaken between 1 March and 28 March 2002. This consisted of letters and plans delivered to properties affected by the scheme. A reduced plan is shown at Annex 2.
6. Four letters of comment were received following this consultation. These included two from businesses in King Street who consider the restrictions would make deliveries impossible and two letters from residents, one objecting to the scheme as being unnecessary and one who has concerns about the closure of the narrow section of Jericho Street. Copies of letters received are in the Members’ Resource Centre and a summary of comments received is shown at Annex 3.

Conclusions

7. The Walton Well Road Zebra Crossing will be of the minimum permitted width and located as far from the business entrance as practicable to minimise the risks associated with vehicles manoeuvring into the entrance. It will also be raised to slow vehicles approaching the Zebra Crossing creating additional protection for pedestrians. The proposed crossing facilities at this junction are in response to the concerns raised by parents and children using this route to school.
8. The scheme around the school consists of physical measures and traffic restrictions. The objections relate to the restrictions. The entry treatments and signing will improve the environment around the school even if introduced independently. While the traffic restrictions may make it more difficult for access, they will improve safety of children near the school.

  Financial and Staff Implications

9. The scheme will be funded from the Better Ways to School capital programme allocation. The work can be accommodated within existing staff resources.

RECOMMENDATIONS

10. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. approve the implementation of the Walton Well Road Zebra Crossing;
2. approve the implementation of the entry treatments in Hart Street, Jericho Street and King Street;
3. approve the implementation of a closure to motor vehicles in Jericho Street between Lucy Street and Walton Street and a ‘no entry’ point from a north west direction in King Street as shown on drawing No 1320/G200, subject to any objections resulting from formal consultation being determined by the Director of Environmental Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport and the Local Member.

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Contact Officer: Mark Bostock Tel: Oxford 815755

May 2002

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