Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to update members on progress in producing the Oxford city centre street scene manual: part one, and to seek approval of the manual.  The manual has been jointly produced by Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council, with support from the West End Partnership.  The report also seeks approval for officers to start work on some immediate actions that flow from the manual.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)               endorse the Oxford city centre street scene manual: part one as the basis for the design, maintenance and management of streets in Oxford city centre;

(b)              authorise the Head of Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Growth and Infrastructure and Transport Implementation, to make minor amendments to the document;

(c)               instruct officers to continue to work with Oxford City Council to develop subsequent parts of the manual; and

(d)              instruct officers to work on the proposed immediate actions at Annex Error! Reference source not found. and report to the Cabinet Member for Transport Implementation.

Cabinet considered a report updating them on progress in producing the Oxford city centre street scene manual: part one, and seeking their approval of the manual.  The manual has been jointly produced by Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council, with support from the West End Partnership.  The report also sought approval for officers to start work on some immediate actions that flow from the manual.

Councillor Purse, Shadow Cabinet Member for Growth & Infrastructure, commented that the consultation with groups with sensory impairment was mostly about sight. She raised concerns about the mix of cyclists and pedestrians in terms of people with a hearing problem not being aware that cyclists were near. She hoped that the result of the manual would not be to create a style that dated but one that could be applied to be create a timeless style. She queried what could be done to ensure that the utilities co-ordinated their work with other street works

Councillor Hudspeth responded to the points made commenting that they were working with cycling groups to ensure cyclists acted responsibly. The manual provided a basis to ensure materials complemented each other but he would not wish to see all building the same. Co-ordination of work by the utilities was an ongoing struggle.

The Leader commented that under SS2 – the hierarchy of users - the wording against motorists was unnecessary and should be removed.

RESOLVED:             to

(a)               endorse the Oxford city centre street scene manual: part one as the basis for the design, maintenance and management of streets in Oxford city centre;

(b)              authorise the Head of Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Growth and Infrastructure and Transport Implementation, to make minor amendments to the document;

(c)               instruct officers to continue to work with Oxford City Council to develop subsequent parts of the manual; and

(d)              instruct officers to work on the proposed immediate actions at Annex 3 and report to the Cabinet Member for Transport.