Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/114

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545/Lee Turner, Principal Officer – Traffic Schemes Tel: 07917 072678

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit (phase 1) and trial traffic calming measures (phase 2) at Cuxham village.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of a 20mph speed limit and trial traffic calming measures as advertised.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM6)  responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit (phase 1) and trial traffic calming measures (phase 2) in Cuxham village.

Debbie Davies a resident made the following points. The trial scheme would be monitored as all roads were dangerous and in order to meet its statutory duty to make Oxfordshire's roads safer, Oxfordshire County Council needed to know if this trial would increase use of roads that were more dangerous and it would be too late to wait until increased risk showed s in the county council's personal injury accident annual report. Officers have said they would consider traffic migrating to less suitable roads, that could have a worse personal accident history so similarly would traffic volumes be recorded? A road safety trial should not result in a reduction, or withdrawal, of the safest way to travel so was there a guarantee this would not happen to the no 11 bus service for Cuxham and Watlington? Would assessment of sustainability implications take account of cycle infrastructure design (LTN 1/20)? The Department for Transport (DfT) have stated that: “Cycle networks should be planned and designed to allow people to reach their day to day destinations easily, along routes that connect, are simple to navigate and are of a consistently high quality”. In Cuxham, day to day destinations within easy cycling distance such as schools, playgrounds, shops, social clubs, sports clubs, are located in Watlington and Chalgrove. This required using 50mph rural roads with worse personal accident histories for cycling. The quickest, sustainable day to day commuting from Cuxham to Oxford meant cycling on the B4009, which had a much worse personal accident record, to connect with coach services at Junction 6, M40.. Is it accepted it is impossible for this trial to make day to day destinations safe for cyclists, as set out in LTN 1/20? If Phase 2 proceeded, would the request by Cycling UK Oxford not to narrow the road in parts to 4m be accepted? DfT Circular 1/2013 para 57 stated that Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) were effective in reminding drivers of the speed limit with paragraph 26 then stating that enforcement should be considered only after other measures. Would account of the Cuxham road environment include that it has two VAS signs? Paragraph 40 stated that in rural areas, provision of adequate footways could be a more effective means of improving pedestrian safety than lowering a speed limit over a short distance. My county councillor agreed that “Pedestrian access should be similar to what the road permits currently” so would the trial prioritise footway for pedestrians so they could avoid having to walk in the road?

Ian Goldsmith on behalf of the Parish of Cuxham with Easington thanked the County Council for its assistance with this programme. Highlighting the very strong local support he then addressed the three objections that had been received.

The Thames Valley Police statement that ‘experience has shown  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14