Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/129

Contact: Tom Flanagan, Service Manager – Localities, Policy & Programmes, Tel: (01865) 815691

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA9).

This report seeks Cabinet’s approval for the revised design of the Frideswide Square transport and public realm improvements in Oxford. 

The latest design takes into account the feedback from stakeholders and the public following consultation on the scheme that ran from 14 August to 12 September 2014.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve:

(a)      the revised design for Frideswide Square shown in Annex 4 to be priced for construction;

(b)      the Traffic Regulation Orders as advertised for a restricted zone for Frideswide Square;

(c)      the area shown on the plan in Annex 1 to be shared use by pedestrians and cyclists.

Recommendations Agreed.

The Cabinet had before them a report which sought approval for the revised design of the Frideswide Square transport and public realm improvements in Oxford. 

The latest design before the Cabinet took into account the feedback from stakeholders and the public following consultation on the scheme that ran from 14 August to 12 September 2014.

Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment, referred to lack of specific cycle lanes in the proposals which was of great concern to the cyclists who would be using the junction.  He asked the Cabinet Member whether he thought that mitigations to traffic hold ups had been maximised and whether he was going to listen to cyclist lobby groups and provide a scheme similar to those schemes implemented abroad with segregated cycle lanes.

Councillor Howson stressed the importance of this north – south cycle route for residents in his division. He highlighted the importance of light phasing at the Worcester Street junction. This was a 4 way junction with traffic often backed up to Walton Street and St Giles.  Further consideration to signposting, particularly in Park End Street was needed to stop traffic backing up.  He further expressed concern about the lack of Cycle lane after Upper Row/ Rewley Road – there was a need to consider what would happen to cyclists when the cycle path disappeared.  He expressed the importance of people coming from the North seeing some benefit of the scheme.

Councillor Nimmo Smith, Cabinet Member for Environment commented that he was satisfied that the junction would be much improved and that comments on the design should have been given at the consultation stage. 

Sue Scane, Director for Environment & Economy referred to paragraph 18 of the report.  The City Council Executive Board had resolved to support the scheme subject to asking the County to give further consideration to a two lane cycle lane, clearer definition of the shared space, adequate parking for loading for local businesses, signage and lighting.  The full City Council resolution and the County’s response had been placed on the website.

RESOLVED: to approve:

(a)          the revised design for Frideswide Square shown in Annex 4 to be priced for construction;

(b)          the Traffic Regulation Orders as advertised for a restricted zone for Frideswide Square;

(c)          the area shown on the plan in Annex 1 to be shared use by pedestrians and cyclists.