Agenda item

Members of the public who wish to speak on an item on the agenda at this meeting, or present a petition, can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection.

Requests to present a petition must be submitted no later than 9am ten working days before the meeting.

Requests to speak must be submitted no later than 9am three working days before the meeting.

Requests should be submitted to committeesdemocraticservices@oxfordshire.gov.uk

If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails, then your views can still be taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am on the day of the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

Matthew Jerwood presented a petition on behalf of local residents calling for improvements to safety at the junction of Rose Hill, Henley Avenue and Church Cowley Road. He stated that residents, including people with mobility difficulties and families with young children, felt unsafe crossing the junction. He argued that changes in traffic patterns had led to greater congestion, speeding and other dangerous behaviour, and noted that residents had recorded nine accidents and incidents in recent months. On behalf of the 575 signatories to the petition, most of whom lived locally in OX4, he called for an urgent safety review, the installation of two pedestrian crossings, stronger speed and red-light enforcement measures, and a site visit by council representatives to work with residents on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Councillor Epps, Cabinet Member for Transport, thanked the petitioners for highlighting residents’ concerns and acknowledged that the junction at Rose Hill, Henley Avenue and Church Cowley Road presented longstanding safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. He explained that, while improvements to the junction would be desirable, there were significant challenges, including the need to reduce traffic volumes without creating wider transport or safety problems. He noted that previous changes made as part of the Quickways scheme had increased space for cycling but led to additional collisions, traffic issues and poorer bus reliability, resulting in the reinstatement of the former layout. He also highlighted the high potential cost of major alterations and the absence of an allocated budget, although he said design work on possible future improvements could still be explored. He clarified that speeding and red-light enforcement were matters for Thames Valley Police and concluded by offering to follow up with the petitioners and undertake a site visit to discuss the issues in more detail.

Emma Parker presented a petition signed by 384 people calling on the Council to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists along the A40 London Road, particularly on the stretch between Thornhill Park and Ride and the Holton turn. She highlighted concerns that children travel to local primary and secondary schools along a shared footway and cycleway that runs close to fast-moving traffic and argued that the route is unsafe despite being promoted for active travel and “park and stride” journeys. While the petition originally proposed a vehicle restraint system or crash barrier, she noted that residents had also suggested measures such as speed reductions or alternative cycle routes. She urged the Council to investigate and implement the most effective safety improvements as a matter of priority, emphasising that doing so would support the Council’s Active Travel Strategy and Vision Zero objectives by making walking and cycling safer and more attractive, particularly for school journeys.

Councillor Epps thanked Emma Parker for highlighting safety concerns along the A40 London Road route and acknowledged that it felt unsafe, particularly as it is used by school pupils. He outlined the Council’s completed feasibility work, which proposes a range of improvements including widening and resurfacing the shared-use path, improving crossings and visibility, redesigning the Park Hill junction roundabout, closing the parking lay-by, and reducing the speed limit to 50 mph. He explained that the aim was to provide a safer, segregated cycling and walking route while complying with current Active Travel England guidance and incorporating input from local cycling groups. While barriers may be required at some locations, he noted that there were challenges to installing them along the entire route. He advised that funding was available to complete detailed design work this financial year, but that no construction budget had yet been identified. Once funding was secured, the Council would move forward with public consultation on the proposals.

Huw James, speaking on agenda item 9, Report of the Cabinet, urged the Council to support participation in the proposed Thames Valley Strategic Authority, arguing that Oxfordshire, Swindon and the wider Thames Valley form an interconnected economic area with strong transport links, integrated supply chains and complementary industries. He highlighted examples of collaboration between businesses and institutions across the region and contended that a stronger regional governance arrangement would help secure devolved powers and funding for transport, infrastructure, housing and skills. He stressed that businesses were interested not in devolution for its own sake but in the opportunities it could unlock for sustainable economic growth, improved productivity and a stronger voice with central government. He warned that delaying Thames Valley devolution could mean missing out on long-term funding settlements and growth opportunities, and urged councillors to back the Strategic Authority in order to support businesses, residents and the region’s economic future.