“Transport connectivity which is vital for Oxfordshire’s economic future is now at crisis point. We do have outline proposals for a new transport plan. However much of it is too car focused. The tram-train is an innovative way of tackling some of the County’s problems, which would be as effective as individual car use and would be more environmentally friendly.
The tram-train is a hybrid vehicle which can use both the traditional heavy rail and dedicated light rail tracks. The advantage of this system to Oxfordshire is that it can use existing city centre heavy rail facilities with usually only minimal alterations, and on to which light rail tracks can be added where no heavy rail lines exist. Lines could run out to Witney, Kidlington and Horspath. Tram-trains can run on roads where required, with appropriate signalling. Such systems are very popular on the continent Karlsruhe is a good example and they are to be trialled in the UK along the Sheffield to Rotherham corridor.
Council therefore calls for a report to go to Cabinet which scopes and costs the project in outline and also to identify potential sources of finance. Such as project could potentially form a part of Network Rails Control Period 5 investment programme which runs from 2014 to 2019.”
Minutes:
Councillor Johnston moved and Councillor Howson seconded the following motion:
“Transport connectivity which is vital for Oxfordshire’s economic future is now at crisis point. We do have outline proposals for a new transport plan. However much of it is too car focused. The tram-train is an innovative way of tackling some of the County’s problems, which would be as effective as individual car use and would be more environmentally friendly.
The tram-train is a hybrid vehicle which can use both the traditional heavy rail and dedicated light rail tracks. The advantage of this system to Oxfordshire is that it can use existing city centre heavy rail facilities with usually only minimal alterations, and on to which light rail tracks can be added where no heavy rail lines exist. Lines could run out to Witney, Kidlington and Horspath. Tram-trains can run on roads where required, with appropriate signalling. Such systems are very popular on the continent Karlsruhe is a good example and they are to be trialled in the UK along the Sheffield to Rotherham corridor.
Council therefore calls for a report to go to Cabinet which scopes and costs the project in outline and also to identify potential sources of finance. Such as project could potentially form a part of Network Rails Control Period 5 investment programme which runs from 2014 to 2019.”
Councillor Williams proposed and Councillor Coates seconded the following amendment as shown in bold italic/stikethrough:
“Transport connectivity which is vital for Oxfordshire’s economic future is now at crisis point. We do have outline proposals for a new transport plan. However much of it is too car focused. The tram-train is an innovative way of tackling some of the County’s problems, which would be as effective as individual car use and would be more environmentally friendly.
The tram-train is a hybrid vehicle
which can use both the traditional heavy rail and dedicated light
rail tracks. The advantage of this
system to Oxfordshire is that it can use existing city centre heavy
rail facilities with usually only minimal alterations, and on to
which light rail tracks can be added where no heavy rail lines
exist. Lines could run out to Witney,
Kidlington and Horspath. Tram-trains can run on roads where
required, with appropriate signalling.
Such systems are very popular on the continent Karlsruhe is a
good example and they are to be trialled in the UK along the
Sheffield to Rotherham corridor.where an underground section is part of the
system to protect historic city centres from surface
congestion.
Council therefore calls for a report to go to Cabinet which scopes and costs the project in outline and also to identify potential sources of finance. Such as project could potentially form a part of Network Rails Control Period 5 investment programme which runs from 2014 to 2019.”
Following debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was lost by 57 votes to 2.
Following debate, the substantive motion was put to the vote and was lost by 29 votes to 27.
RESOLVED: accordingly.