Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Transport

Forward Plan Ref: 2012/012

Contact: John Disley, Strategic Manager - Policy & Strategy Tel: (01865) 810460

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA8).

The report summarises the outcomes of design work and stakeholder consultation on two options for improving Frideswide Square. The “Boulevard” option is recommended for detailed design and implementation.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the “Boulevard” option for Frideswide Square for detailed design and implementation, including the advertisement of any necessary traffic orders.

The Cabinet considered a report which summarised the outcome of design work and stakeholder consultation on two options for the improvement of Frideswide Square, Oxford.

Councillor Susanna Pressel, speaking as local member for West Central Oxford, expressed concern about the methodology used for consultation as local residents had not been consulted.  Although she supported the ‘boulevard’ option she had concerns over some of the safety issues, especially on the part of people with disabilities, unconfident cyclists and elderly pedestrians in relation to that option and warned against carrying out the scheme ‘on the cheap’.  She referred to the need for: CCTV cameras to keep traffic speeds down to a maximum of about 15 mph at all times; improvements to be carried out under the Railway Bridge for pedestrians and cyclists; improved landscapes; consideration to be given to how to stop cyclist on pavements; loading and unloading and access for emergency vehicles.

She further questioned whether improving the flow would attract more traffic and whether the removal of bus lanes would mean that bus journeys would take longer.

Mr Graham Jones, speaking for ROX welcomed the proposed improvements to Frideswide Square which he hoped would commence within the next two to three years.  He expressed the hope that the final design would include reduced speeds in the square to improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians; an improved access from the Botley Road; a clearway layby to attract new businesses to the area, ‘gentle’ edges to the bus lanes to enable proper access for buses and the provision of a reserve lane for emergency vehicles.

Councillor Armitage, speaking as local member for West Central Oxford spoke in support of the ‘Boulevard’ option, whilst raising concern regarding the safety of cyclists, namely the danger of vehicles turning left at roundabouts.  He reminded members of the fatal accident to a cyclist close to the railway bridge a few years ago and to other serious injury in the area.  He urged the Cabinet to ensure that a design which addressed cyclists’ safety concerns was one of the highest priorities during the next stage of the design work, as without it, he believed that the scheme could undermine what the Council was trying to achieve at an important gateway into Oxford.

Ms Gwynneth Pedlar, spoke on behalf of Oxfordshire Unlimited, an organisation supported by the County Council to monitor and advise the Council on issues affecting disabled people.  Of the two options presented, Oxfordshire Unlimited was satisfied that the ‘Boulevard’ design was the one most favoured due to clearer sight lines and dedicated crossings making it clearer.  She believed that the safety could however be improved with controlled crossings in several areas.  She sought assurance that the removal of traffic lights would not increase the number of pedestrian accidents and that in the event that accidents did increase lights would be restored quicker than the six month period mentioned.  She raised further concerns over the lack of provision for cyclists; a loading bay on the south side being directly in line with a pedestrian crossing; delays from the Botley Road, the length of bus bays; no provision of safe crossings in the Rewley Road/Hythe Bridge Street area; the crossing at the Station approach being too close to the corner; entrance/exits for Kwik Fit and Staples and loading and unloading for commercial premises along Park End Street.

Oxfordshire unlimited believed that the disabled section of society living and working in Oxfordshire and not been fully understood and considered and believed that any approval of a carriageway layout without the intrinsic safety consideration of all vulnerable users was unacceptable and that making a decision today premature until more detail was provided.

In moving the recommendations Councillor Rodney Rose, Cabinet Member for Transport reminded those present that the report before members today was to get down to one design to then go forward for proper planning and design.  He gave assurances that he would take account of all those passing through the junction and that he would talk to all those affected once the detailed design was available.

Mr Steve Howell gave an assurance that officers would look at the Botley Road and the issue of cyclists passing under the Bridge.

RESOLVED: to approve the “Boulevard” option for Frideswide Square for detailed design and implementation, including the advertisement of any necessary traffic orders.