Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2024/107

Contact: Robert Freshwater, Infrastructure Development Lead (Robert.Freshwater@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CMDTMT5).

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Approve the following highway and bus journey time/ reliability improvement measures to the Woodstock Road, Oxford (A4144) as advertised and set out in Annex 1.  That subject to approval, detail and final design of the listed measures shall be delegated for approval to the Director of Environment and Highways in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport Management:

b)    Commence an experimental trial for a removal of part of the 24-hour southbound bus lane between the Wolvercote roundabout (A40) and Squitchey Lane and replacement with a northbound bus lane of similar length; alongside necessary supplementary measures.

c)    Implement new and improved side road crossings at the following side roads: Bevington Road, St. Margaret’s Road (East), South Parade, Little Clarendon Street, Observatory Street, St Bernards Road, Plantation Road, Leckford Road, Canterbury Road, Farndon Road, St. Margaret’s Road (West).

d)    Introduce a new section of off-carriage way cycle path on the western side of Woodstock Road between the junctions with Frenchay Road and St. Margaret’s Road.

e)    Provide a new zebra crossing on Woodstock Road to be located approximately 20 metres south of the junction with Bevington Road.

f)     Commence an experimental trial to relocate a marked parking bay (limited stay parking) outside Belsyre Court on the Woodstock Road.

g)    Deliver a range of localised measures detailed in public consultation plans set out in Annex 1 to support the aims of the scheme including sections of improvements to the condition of footway/ cycleways, amending road markings, install solar studs, and implementing measures proposed in the County Council’s 2021 ‘Quickways’ consultation for Woodstock Road.

h)    Implementation of a bus stop clearway (which will prevent parking except for buses at all times) - to be located within the existing bus stop, approx. 25 metres south of its junction with Little Clarendon Street.

Recommendations approved.

The Chair introduced the item, welcomed speakers to address the meeting and responded to their points in turn.

The Chair invited officers to provide some background information to the report.

Officers confirmed that the bus operators supported the bus lane reversal irrespective of the traffic filters scheme.

Officers explained that the changes were being brought forward through an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) and that changes could be made accordingly through the 18-month period.

The Chair noted that new signage would be brought into to illustrate the changes and officers confirmed this point.

Officers noted that Road Safety Audit’s would take place throughout the process.

The Chair stressed the need for cyclists and car-users to show respect to one another when using roads.

The Chair thanked officers for their work and agreed to the recommendations.

RESOLVED to:

a) Approve the following highway and bus journey time/ reliability improvement measures to the Woodstock Road, Oxford (A4144) as advertised and set out in Annex 1. That subject to approval, detail and final design of the listed measures shall be delegated for approval to the Director of Environment and Highways in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport Management:

b) Commence an experimental trial for a removal of part of the 24-hour southbound bus lane between the Wolvercote roundabout (A40) and Squitchey Lane and replacement with a northbound bus lane of similar length; alongside necessary supplementary measures.

c) Implement new and improved side road crossings at the following side roads: Bevington Road, St. Margaret’s Road (East), South Parade, Little Clarendon Street, Observatory Street, St Bernards Road, Plantation Road, Leckford Road, Canterbury Road, Farndon Road, St. Margaret’s Road (West).

d) Introduce a new section of off-carriage way cycle path on the western side of Woodstock Road between the junctions with Frenchay Road and St. Margaret’s Road.

e) Provide a new zebra crossing on Woodstock Road to be located approximately 20 metres south of the junction with Bevington Road.

f) Commence an experimental trial to relocate a marked parking bay (limited stay parking) outside Belsyre Court on the Woodstock Road.

g) Deliver a range of localised measures detailed in public consultation plans set out in Annex 1 to support the aims of the scheme including sections of improvements to the condition of footway/ cycleways, amending road markings, install solar studs, and implementing measures proposed in the County Council’s 2021 ‘Quickways’ consultation for Woodstock Road.

h) Implementation of a bus stop clearway (which will prevent parking except for buses at all times) - to be located within the existing bus stop, approx. 25 metres south of its junction with Little Clarendon Street.