Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/019

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by the Interim Director for Community Operations (CMDE5).

The Botley Road Improvement project builds upon objectives set out in the Oxford Transport Strategy where a study of Botley Road was completed in 2016 which confirmed, following stakeholder feedback, the value of a high-quality route prioritising sustainable transport modes to ease congestion, reduce journey times and improve journey experience. The project includes a package of measures aimed at:    

a.         encouraging greater use of more sustainable modes of transport - buses, cycling and walking

b.         easing congestion on the route

c.         improving bus journey times so buses have an advantage over general traffic

d.         providing a safer, more continuous and attractive route for cyclists and pedestrians 

e.         reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality.

f.          unlocking economic growth and job creation opportunities by benefiting development sites with improved access and additional capacity.

The principal elements of the scheme were approved at the Cabinet Member for Environment decisions meeting on 19 December 2020 following a consultation in the autumn of 2019. At that meeting, however, it was agreed to carry out a consultation on an extended length of 20mph speed limit to that originally proposed.  This report considers the results of that consultation.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals as advertised

Approved.

Officers to undertake consultation on extending the 20 mph limit between Duke Street and Earl Street.

The principal elements of the Botley Road Improvement scheme had been approved at the Cabinet Member for Environment delegated decisions meeting on 19 December 2020 following a consultation in the autumn of 2019. At that meeting, however, it was agreed to carry out a consultation on an extended length of 20mph speed limit to that originally proposed.  This report (CMDE5) considered the results of that consultation.

County Councillor Susanna Pressel had advised by email that she had been lobbied by many people in her division over the years to have a 20mph speed limit on Botley Road. That included a massive petition presented to Cabinet in April 2018 and she and many others were delighted with this proposal to extend it beyond Binsey Lane. Supporting the extension she had added the further a 20 mph extension reached along the road the better.

County Councillor Judy Roberts wholeheartedly supported the proposal and agreed with the principle of 20mph traffic through residential areas even when they were major routes. This would improve the residential experience by improving local accessibility, reducing noise and air pollution. The main reason for extending the 20 mph area was because there was a small distance of 30 mph just before a crossing. And now phase 1.5 is all 20mph. However, as there was a pedestrian crossing between Duke Street and Earl Street planned for phase 1.4 with a small section of 30 mph leading to it the same principle should surely apply for that phase. She felt that this reinforced the case for the whole length of the Botley Road Corridor to become a 20 mph Zone making it viable to introduce average speed cameras to enforce the speed limit.

Recognising the issue raised by Councillor Roberts the Cabinet Member asked officers to investigate how that could be rectified and having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposals as advertised and ask to investigate extending the 20 mph limit between Duke Street and Earl Street.

Signed…………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/019

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by the Interim Director for Community Operations (CMDE7).

The Botley Road Improvement project builds upon objectives set out in the Oxford Transport Strategy where a study of Botley Road was completed in 2016 which confirmed, following stakeholder feedback, the value of a high-quality route prioritising sustainable transport modes to ease congestion, reduce journey times and improve journey experience. The project includes a package of measures aimed at:    

a.         encouraging greater use of more sustainable modes of transport - buses, cycling and walking

b.         easing congestion on the route

c.         improving bus journey times so buses have an advantage over general traffic

d.         providing a safer, more continuous and attractive route for cyclists and pedestrians 

e.         reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality.

f.          unlocking economic growth and job creation opportunities by benefiting development sites with improved access and additional capacity.

The principal elements of the scheme were approved at the Cabinet Member for Environment decisions meeting on 19 December 2020 following a consultation in the autumn of 2019. At that meeting, however, it was agreed to carry out a consultation on an extended length of 20mph speed limit to that originally proposed.  This report considers the results of that consultation.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals as advertised