Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/232

Contact: Geoff Barrell, Developer Schemes Coordinator and 20 Limits Project Manager.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 11).

To consider a proposed 20mph speed limit.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the following proposals as advertised but with subsequent relaxations on 2 radial roads as outlined in paragraph 17:

a.    New 20mph speed limit for Faringdon, and

b.    Extended 50mph speed limit on the A4095 Radcot Road.

The report presented responses to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Faringdon, and the extension of the existing 50mph speed limit on the A4095 Radcot Road by 40m in order to help facilitate the 20mph proposals, as shown in Annex 1 of the report.

These proposals were originally presented to the Chair in February however due to ongoing concerns from the Council’s bus partners decision was deferred to enable further discussion regarding the concerns raised. Following discussion between the Council, bus operators and Cyclox, two revisions were proposed in the latest iteration of the report.

The revisions involved relaxation of the original proposals thus there was no requirement to undertake a new, formal consultation.

The Chair invited speakers to address the meeting and responded to the points made.

Mr Harrison suggested some improvements which were not within the scope of the decision nevertheless the Chair encouraged officers to explore the suggestions and thanked Mr Harrison for his contribution to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed the detailed report and thanked officers, bus companies, councillors and other stakeholders for engaging in the coproduction process.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the following proposals as advertised but with subsequent relaxations on 2 radial roads as outlined in paragraph 17:

a.    New 20mph speed limit for Faringdon, and

b.    Extended 50mph speed limit on the A4095 Radcot Road.

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/232

Contact: Geoff Barrell, Principal Engineer, 20mph speed limit project.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 15).

A decision is required on a proposed 20mph speed limit.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management AGREED to defer a decision to approve the following proposals as advertised:

a)    New 20mph speed limit for Faringdon, and

b)    Extended 50mph speed limit on the A4095 Radcot Road.

The decision is deferred to enable further discussion.

The report presented responses to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Faringdon, and the extension of the existing 50mph speed limit on the A4095 Radcot Road by 40 metres in order to help facilitate the 20mph proposals,

The Chair noted that Stagecoach and Thames Travel bus companies objected to recommendations and provided detailed responses. The Stagecoach submission was particularly comprehensive and merited close study. Generally, bus companies considered the proposals to be unduly extensive with safety benefits not equally achieved over the extent of the proposed order. Stagecoach advised that if 20mph limits were applied to other communities along the A420 corridor they would serve the notice to withdraw the service entirely from High Street Watchfield and the loop around Faringdon Town Centre.

The Chair thanked bus companies for their detailed response to the consultation but stated that evidence and data was lacking. The nature of the bus operators’ objections suggested that they should be considered carefully especially given the risk of a reduction in service. The Chair stressed the importance of improving road safety and encouraging greater use of active travel by reducing speeds but further discussion and provision of evidence from Bus Companies was needed before a decision could be made. Thus, the Chair informed the meeting that he would defer a decision on this matter.

The Chair informed the meeting that recommendation would be amended to read:

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management agreed to DEFER a decision to approve the following proposals as advertised pending further discussions to assess the acceptability of reduced proposals that meet the needs of all parties:

a)    New 20mph speed limit for Faringdon, and

b)    Extended 50mph speed limit on the A4095 Radcot Road.