Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/080

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director of Community Operations (CMDE9).

This report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to reduce speed limits on the A361 between Banbury and Chipping Norton put forward as part of a Department for Transport funded project to improve safety on this part of the A361 on account of a long-term history of high severity traffic accidents. The proposals also take account of approved and planned development in Banbury.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed reductions in speed limit on the A361 between Banbury and Chipping Norton with the following qualifications:

a)        The implementation of the reduced speed limits between Banbury and Bloxham is deferred until the new layout (including a roundabout) which forms part of planned development is in place

b)        The 50mph speed limit south west of South Newington is extended by approximately 300 metres to just east of the Heythrop turn.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE9) responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to reduce speed limits on the A361 between Banbury and Chipping Norton put forward as part of a Department for Transport funded project to improve safety on this part of the A361 on account of a long-term history of high severity traffic accidents. The proposals also took account of approved and planned development in Banbury.

She also noted an email from County Councillor Kieron Mallon which while not offering unconditional support stated he had no observations to make.

Addressing a question regarding the response from Thames valley Police Mr Kirkwood confirmed that they had in fact supported some parts of the proposed reductions but not all, The objection lodged by them related to the section between Banbury and Bloxham but he pointed out that that would not happen until the new layout, including a roundabout which formed part of a planned development, was in place. Responding to a question from the Cabinet Member he confirmed that a request by Bloxham parish council to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph through the village would require additional supporting measures but there was currently no funding available for that.

Having regard to the information in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

approve proposed reductions in speed limit on the A361 between Banbury and Chipping Norton with the following qualifications:

a)        implementation of the reduced speed limits between Banbury and Bloxham be deferred until the new layout (including a roundabout) which would form part of planned development was in place;

b)        the 50mph speed limit south west of South Newington be extended by approximately 300 metres to just east of the Heythrop turn.

Signed…………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………