Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Travel & Development Strategy

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/073

Contact: Marco Assucena, Programme Lead – South & Vale Tel: 07922 849387 / Helen Powdrill, Programme Lead - Countywide, Tel: 07554 103476 / John McLauchlan, Head of Infrastructure Planning Office, Tel: 07554 103512

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CA13).

Following completion of Stage 0 Options Appraisal Report and consultation, to seek acceptance to continue with the design of the identified preferred option.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)               Approve the revised alignment route (figure 1) and approve progression into Design and Procurement Stage 2 of the project.

b)              Approve in principle the use of The Oxfordshire County Council (Watlington Relief Road) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] in parallel with negotiations for private acquisition, with such powers of compulsory purchase used only as a matter of last resort. If Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is required to deliver the project, we will seek further approval, subject to the scheme meeting all CPO requirements and the paper will be brought back to Cabinet, once the necessary approval has been sought, including public engagement on preferred options and submission of a planning application for the scheme.

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet considered a report seeking acceptance to continue with the design of the identified preferred option.  Before discussing the item Cabinet heard from a number of speakers.

Gill Bindoff, Watlington  Neighbourhood  Plan  Advisory  Board, stated the proposed road provided the only viable option to solve the air quality problem in the town, to conserve the historic town centre and enhance the attractiveness of Watlington for the visitors who support the High Street shops and local businesses which are crucial to its economic sustainability.

In addition, the footpath/cycleway along the length of the Relief Road will make a very useful contribution to connecting the local network of public paths and will support the local strategy for improving opportunities for walking, cycling, health and wellbeing. 

Housing development was already under construction so there should be a sense of urgency in making progress towards delivery.  Gill Bindoff welcomed the opportunities which had already been provided for input but believed that there was scope for a more productive partnership in order to ensure the best outcome for Watlington and for the County.  

Matt Reid sent a written contribution on behalf of both Watlington and Pyrton Parish Councils which was read to the meeting.  Cabinet should be aware that the route laid out before them for adoption today represented a ‘political compromise’.  The arrival at a route that was acceptable to the majority of stakeholders had been facilitated largely by the AECOM phase one optioneering process.

Cabinet should be aware that the planning submissions currently being made to district along the course of this route were dangerously ahead of the planning submission for the road itself.  Cabinet was urged to regain the initiative and do all they can to make sure this project was fully resourced and given appropriate priority.

This was perhaps the first time that a community centric design that alleviated many of the concerns held by both communities had made it this far.  Cabinet was urged to support the recommendations.

Robert Parker, Chairman, Shirburn Parish Meeting, stated that Shirburn was a listed and conservation village with a 13^th century castle located between  Watlington and the M40. The B4009 carried all the traffic from Watlington to the M40 passing through the centre of Shirburn.  There had been no consideration or modelling of Shirburn of any kind during Stage 1. AECOM had indicated that they did not intend to include Shirburn in Stage 2. This despite the road carrying the same traffic as Watlington.

In summary the concerns relate to three areas: incorrect level of Stakeholder Engagement; the AECOM statement that a new road will not generate traffic and referencing the Corporate Policies and Priorities; and the outdated overall approach by AECOM of “Predict and Provide” against the more modern approach to transport planning of “Vision and Validate”.

Cabinet was urged not to approve the recommendation to proceed to Stage 2 until an updated review of Stage 1 has taken place.

Councillor Freddie van Mierlo supported the proposal.  Watlington was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92