Agenda, decisions and minutes

None declared

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/148

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Mike Horton, Technical Officer (Traffic Schemes South) Tel: 07912 474356 / Jon Beale, Traffic & Traffic Schemes Technical Officer Tel: 07860 330031

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM4).

This report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of a 20mph speed limit in Wallingford central and north areas.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Wallingford central and north areas as advertised.

This Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM4) responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of a 20mph speed limit in Wallingford central and north areas.

County Councillor Pete Sudbury the local member had been unable to attend the meeting but the Cabinet Member confirmed that he was aware of Councillor Sudbury’s support for the proposal.

A written representation had also been received from Trevor Bedeman a resident of Wallingford welcoming the current proposals and the statement that further action might be necessary, particularly speed enforcement and an extension of the 20mph limit across the whole town area which would help address potential issues in Croft Road and St Johns Road, which had been missed out and with Croft Road especially a ‘rat run’ for the other roads listed in the centre any decline in average speed for those roads was likely to be associated with an increase in speed on those 2 roads.

Noting the support of the local member and the written representation above and having regard to the information set out in the report before him the Cabinet Member for Highway management confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Wallingford central and north areas as advertised.

Signed………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing…………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/147

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Jon Beale, Traffic and Traffic Schemes Technical Officer Tel: 07860 330031

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM5).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of a 20mph speed limit at Tokers Green in place of the current 30mph speed limit following a request by Kidmore End Parish Council.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the 20mph speed limit at Tokers Green.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM5) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit at Tokers Green in place of the current 30mph speed limit as requested by Kidmore End Parish Council.

Noting the support from the local member Councillor Kevin Bulmer and having regard to the information set out in the report before him the Cabinet Member for Highway Management confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve as advertised the 20mph speed limit at Tokers Green as advertised.

Signed………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing…………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/169

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Jon Beale, Traffic and Traffic Schemes Technical Officer Tel: 07860 330031

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit at Ewelme in place of the current 30mph speed limit as requested by Ewelme Parish Council.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the 20mph speed limit at Ewelme.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM6) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit at Ewelme in place of the current 30mph speed limit as requested by Ewelme Parish Council.

Noting the support of the local member Councillor Freddie VanMierlo and having regard to the information set out in the report before him the Cabinet Member for Highway Management confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve as advertised the 20mph speed limit at Ewelme.

Signed……………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing……………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/151

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Lee Turner, Principla Officer, Traffic & Road Safety (South) Tel: 07917 072678

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM7).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit in Long Wittenham village.

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

The Cabinet Member considered (CMDHM7) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit in Long Wittenham village.

County Councillor Pete Sudbury the local member had been unable to attend the meeting but the Cabinet Member confirmed that he was aware of Councillor Sudbury’s support for the proposal.

A written representation had also been received from Long Wittenham Parish Council expressing its pleasure to have been chosen as one of the trial areas for new 20mph zones but with some concerns that a "signs only” scheme  might have limited effect in one part of the village as a result of fast traffic arriving in the village from Didcot on a section of road currently within the national speed limit restriction and then needing to slow down to only 20mph, which might not happen until the vehicle was well inside the new 20 zone. The parish council had discussed this with county officers and had proposed a jointly funded ‘entry feature” at or close to the start of the new 20 zone. That proposal had been mentioned in the report and they hoped that such a venture could be implemented either as part of the initial scheme or very shortly afterwards believing that that would significantly improve the chances of success of the new speed limit and address the issues raised in a petition earlier in the year about road safety in that part of the village. The parish council would be willing to contribute 50% or up to £8000 towards the cost of an entry feature and looked forward to working with the county officers to progress these proposals.  

Noting the support of the local member Councillor Sudbury and the representations received from the Long Wittenham Parish Council the Cabinet Member for Highway Management confirmed his decision as follows

to approve the proposed introduction of a 20mph speed limit in Long Wittenham village as advertised.

Signed……………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing……………………………

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.

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…………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/173

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Geoff Barrell, Senior Infrastructure Planner Tel: 07392 318869

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM9).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of traffic calming on 3 radial routes in Chinnor consisting of buildouts supplemented by vehicle-activated speed warning signs.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the traffic calming buildouts on the B4009 and B4445.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM9)  responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of traffic calming on 3 radial routes in Chinnor consisting of buildouts supplemented by vehicle-activated speed warning signs.

County Councillor Nigel Champken Woods the local member had been unable to attend but had submitted his full support for these traffic calming measures as had most residents that he had spoken to.

Noting the comments from the local member and having regard to the information set out in the report before him the Cabinet Member for Highway Management confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve as advertised the traffic calming buildouts on the B4009 and B4445.

Signed……………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/125

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545/Mark Francis, Traffic and Traffic Schemes Technical Officer Tel: 07730 926962

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM10).

The report sets out responses received to a consultation for waiting restrictions at various locations in Didcot.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the waiting restrictions on the side roads leading off the B4493 Foxhall Road at Brasenose Road, Blakes Field, Lydalls Close, Manor Crescent and Manor Road as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM10) report sets out responses received to a consultation for waiting restrictions at various locations in Didcot.

Having regard to the information set out in the report before him the Cabinet Member for Highway Management confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve the waiting restrictions on the side roads leading off the B4493 Foxhall Road at Brasenose Road, Blakes Field, Lydalls Close, Manor Crescent and Manor Road as advertised.

Signed………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing……………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/146

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Julian Richardson, Senior Engineer (Road Agreements Team C&W) Tel: 07825 052736/ Odele Parsons, Senior Transport Planner Tel: 07974 002860

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM11).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce no waiting at any time restrictions on Avenue 2, Witney which are required to safely accommodate access to and from adjacent commercial land use, in line with a planning consent recently given by West Oxfordshire District Council.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed no waiting at any time restrictions on Avenue Two, Witney as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM11) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce no waiting at any time restrictions on Avenue 2, Witney which were required to safely accommodate access to and from adjacent commercial land use, in line with a planning consent recently given by West Oxfordshire District Council.

Councillor Dan Levy speaking as the county cycling champion for West Oxfordshire advised that Avenue 2 was a key cycle and walking route, leading at its southern end to a car free route to Ducklington and to WItney Lakes Country Park and because this route led under the A40 was the only direct route to these places from Witney other than by car.   We needed to encourage active travel, not put obstacles in its way whereas the District Council by approving plans which involved large lorries turning across the carriageway endangered active travellers. He asked the Cabinet Member to reject the current proposal to enable County officers to come up with alternative plans to make this area safe for active travellers. That might well require the creation of a separated track on the western side of the road and provision for parking for people wanting to use the Country park or possibly a redesign of the plans by the developers but there had been objections on similar lines from the Town Council and others.

The local member County Councillor Andrew Coles although unable to attend had asked that his comments as set out in paragraph 12 of the officer report be taken into consideration. In a further written representation he outlined his support for the comments put forward by Councillor Levy to reject the proposal until have further plans had been drawn up by from County officers to improve safety for active travellers.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management acknowledged the comments by both councillors and accepted that the plans as proposed did not reflect the aims of the current administration to support active travel nor protect cyclists and pedestrians sufficiently.  Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before him together with the representations made to him at the meeting he confirmed his decision as follows:

to defer a decision to introduce no waiting at any time restrictions on Avenue 2, Witney and ask officers to discuss further with the developers to explore the potential for an alternative and more ambitious scheme to protect cyclists and pedestrians.

Signed…………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing…………………………..