Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/090

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545/Julian Richardson, Senior Engineer (Road Agreements Team C&W Engineering 2) Tel: 07825 052736

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMHM6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a proposed no right turn restriction from an access on the south west side of the Bicester Road at Launton (currently serving allotments) approximately 45 metres south east of its roundabout junction with the A4421.  The proposal has been put forward as a result of the additional use of this access by vehicles as part of the East West Rail project and due to restricted visibility to the right. Funding for the consultation on the proposals has been provided by the East West Rail Alliance and, if approved, they will also fund implementation.

The Cabinet Member for Highways Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed no right turn restriction from a new access on the south west side of the Bicester Road, Launton as advertised.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Highways Management considered (CMDHM6)  responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a proposed no right turn restriction from an access on the south west side of the Bicester Road at Launton (currently serving allotments) approximately 45 metres south east of its roundabout junction with the A4421.  The proposal had been put forward as a result of the additional use of this access by vehicles as part of the East West Rail project and due to restricted visibility to the right. Funding for the consultation on the proposals had been provided by the East West Rail Alliance and, if approved, would also be funded by them.

Speaking on behalf of the Launton Plotters Committee Wendy Foster outlined the allotment holders support for the proposal for the following reasons:

1. It was a safe entrance and exit for all the plotters to drive cars, bikes or walk.

2. The added speed bumps on the road meant that traffic would be cautious and slow.

3. They felt that turning left out of the allotments and going around the roundabout to go back to Launton was much safer than turning right straight onto the main road back to Launton Village.

4. Vehicles travelling from Launton to the allotments would be able to turn safely left into the allotments without worrying about traffic trying to turn right.

5. Some drivers would feel very nervous if there was a right turn out of the allotments into Launton village and would probably go around the roundabout anyway.  

6.The traffic lights over the bridge would be able to slow traffic down so that Launton allotment holders could go in and out of their road safely.

7. They felt that as the road to the allotment came under Oxfordshire County Council highways it would mean that safety would be maintained and if there were any problems the police could easily be called.

8.  Vehicles would be naturally travelling at a slow speed along the main highway from the roundabout and out of the village so this would add to the safety of the turning.

9. They recognised the concerns expressed by Thames Valley Police but acknowledged the response of the Corporate Director that the roundabout should appreciably improve compliance as compared to the many other similar restrictions currently in place.

The Cabinet Member for Highways management having regard to the information set out in the report before him along with the representations made to him at the meeting, which he acknowledged highlighted the need to introduce the measures confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve the proposed no right turn restriction from a new access on the south west side of the Bicester Road, Launton as advertised.

Signed………………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing………………………………..