Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/143

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / James Wright, Traffic & Traffic Schemes Technical Officer Tel: 07789 926984

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM8).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of a 20mph speed limit at Stonesfield in place of the current 30mph speed limit and, as part of this project, revised traffic priorities at Laughton Hill at its junction with Boot Street following a request by Stonesfield  Parish Council.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the 20mph speed limit at Stonesfield together with revised traffic priority markings at Laughton Hill and Boot street Junction.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM8) responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of a 20mph speed limit at Stonesfield in place of the current 30mph speed limit and, as part of that project, revised traffic priorities at Laughton Hill at its junction with Boot Street following a request by Stonesfield Parish Council.

Parish Councillor Michael J Heduan MBE advised that Stonesfield village had seen an increase in traffic volumes and speed in the past few years but with little change in driver behaviour and near misses happening daily action was needed to avoid accidents. Limited pavements forced many including school children walking and cycling to their destinations to endure daily risks from sharing roads with vehicles passing within inches and at unacceptable speeds. It was well documented that a child in collision with a vehicle doing 30 MPH+ would likely die or suffer serious or life changing injuries from the impact whereas a similar collision at 20mph was less likely to result in serious injury. A residents’ survey conducted In October 2018 with over 300 households responding highlighted numerous traffic incidents caused, mostly, by speed. Many of the concerns were because 70% of village roads had no pavements and since the survey, further incidents had occurred including a personal injury collision in 2020 involving a car and cyclist on Laughton Hill. The survey also showed that a majority (69.1%) supported a reduction in speed to 20mph and most of the remainder wanted drivers to slow down to a safer passing speed. A vehicle had recently been recorded at 82 MPH in the afternoon along the Woodstock Road.  Moving to 20 MPH was unanimously supported by the Parish Council, West Oxfordshire District, Oxfordshire County Councillors and overwhelmingly favoured by residents and achieving this objective would make Stonesfield safer for current and future generations.  

County Councillor Andy Graham referred to the excellent joint working between county officers, parish and local residents. This was truly owned local scheme reflecting the local commitment for improvement and tribute to a local grass roots initiative. He commended the scheme and urged approval.

Thanking Mr Heduan and Councillor Graham for their comments and recognising the local efforts in progressing this initiative which reflected the desire to see safer streets and having regard to the information set out in the report before him he confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve as advertised the 20mph speed limit at Stonesfield together with revised traffic priority markings at Laughton Hill and Boot Street junction.

Signed…………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing…………………………..