Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/029

Contact: Roy Newton, Service Manager – Infrastructure Planning Tel: (01865) 815647

Report by Deputy Director (Strategy & Infrastructure Planning)(CA11).

The purpose of this report is to seek:

·         Endorsement for the programme of investment in transport infrastructure in Witney in support of the proposals in the draft West Oxfordshire Local Plan

·         Approval to proceed with delivery of Phase 1 of the investment programme (delivery of the Ducklington Lane/Station Lane junction improvement).

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)          endorse the programme of investment in transport infrastructure in Witney in support of the proposals in the draft West Oxfordshire Local Plan

(b)         approve in principle Phase 1 of the investment programme (delivery of the Ducklington Lane/Station Lane junction improvement) and agree to the use of S106 funds held by the County Council to enable its delivery at the earliest opportunity. Agree to the inclusion into the capital programme of £2m total project budget and release of £0.2m project development budget under the capital governance approval process.

(c)          approve in principle the use of S106 funds held by the County Council to support delivery of Phase 2 of the investment programme (the A40 Downs Road junction), in conjunction with funds secured as part of the measures agreed in relation to the proposed West Witney strategic development area. Agree to release of £0.2m project development budget under the capital governance approval process.

Cabinet had before them a report seeking endorsement for the programme of investment in transport infrastructure in Witney in support of the proposals in the draft West Oxfordshire Local Plan and approval to proceed with delivery of Phase 1 of the investment programme (delivery of the Ducklington Lane/Station Lane junction improvement).

Councillor Alan Armitage commented that it was a very sad day and that he was not surprised the report was brief as there was nothing comparable to the golden bullet of the original road proposal. The only redeeming feature was that the scheme would not cost very much. He hoped that changes to planning law could allow the Cogges Link Road back onto the agenda at some future time.

Councillor Robinson, West Oxfordshire District Council, highlighted the growth in the town and referred to the existing traffic problems. The Cogges Link Road was no longer an option and the current proposals were pragmatic and deliverable. The proposals represented a way forward and he hoped that Cabinet would support them.

Councillor Rose, in moving the recommendations, thanked West Oxfordshire District Council and commented that they now had a good phased approach to the problems in the Witney area.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)          endorse the programme of investment in transport infrastructure in Witney in support of the proposals in the draft West Oxfordshire Local Plan;

(b)          approve in principle Phase 1 of the investment programme (delivery of the Ducklington Lane/Station Lane junction improvement) and agree to the use of S106 funds held by the County Council to enable its delivery at the earliest opportunity. Agree to the inclusion into the capital programme of £2m total project budget and release of £0.2m project development budget under the capital governance approval process; and

(c)          approve in principle the use of S106 funds held by the County Council to support delivery of Phase 2 of the investment programme (the A40 Downs Road junction), in conjunction with funds secured as part of the measures agreed in relation to the proposed West Witney strategic development area. Agree to release of £0.2m project development budget under the capital governance approval process.