Agenda, decisions and minutes

Item 4 – Oxford: East Oxford – Proposed Low Traffic Neighbourhood

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management advised that he had decided to step away from this item to allay any concerns regarding his impartiality with regard to the issues involved and would not be considering the item. Although he was clear that he had an open mind on the issues involved he wanted the public to have every confidence in the decision to be taken at this meeting and, therefore, he had asked the Leader of the Council to take the decision on this occasion in order to demonstrate his impartiality and enable people to focus on the issues in question.

Under the Council’s Constitution the Leader of the Council was authorised to make a decision in place of a delegated Cabinet Member.

Item 9 – Oxford – Car Club Vehicles within Controlled parking Zones

Councillor Gant who would be speaking as a local member advised that he was a subscriber to the Co-Wheels car club.

Currently council meetings are taking place in-person (not virtually) with some social distancing still operating in the venues.  However, members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting ‘virtually’ through an online connection.  Places at the meeting are still being managed to try and respect the requirements of social distancing and while you can ask to attend the meeting in person, you are strongly encouraged to attend ‘virtually’ to minimise the risk of Covid-19 infection.

Please also note that in line with current government guidance all attendees are strongly encouraged to take a lateral flow test in advance of the meeting.

Normally requests to speak at this public meeting are required by 9 am on the day preceding the published date of the meeting. However, during the current situation and to facilitate these new arrangements we are asking that requests to speak are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting i.e. 9 am on Friday 10^th December 2021. Requests to speak should be sent to graham.warrington@oxfordshire.gov.uk.  You will be contacted by the officer regarding arrangements for speaking.

If you ask to attend in person, the officer will also advise you regarding Covid-19 safety at the meeting.  If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails, then your views can still be taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9 am 2 working days before the meeting i.e. Tuesday 14^th December 2021. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/182

Contact: Naomi Barnes, Project Manager Tel: 07824 528681

This item will be considered and determined by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Liz Leffman. 

The Council’s Constitution (Article 6, paragraph 7(b)) enables the Leader to take a decision herself, or to nominate another member of Cabinet, if the designated Portfolio Holder is unable for any reason to take the decision.

In a report to the Cabinet Member Decision (CMD) meeting on 29 July officers recommended that the Cabinet Member (a) note the responses to the non-statutory public consultation on the East Oxford low traffic neighbourhood including Quietways, (b) agree that officers review the options based on the consultation output, update the proposals and reconsult, (c) agree that the outcome of consultation on revised proposals be reported to a future CMD meeting and (d) instruct officers to fully assess the impact of the delay on resources and budget on the wider Active Travel programme. These recommendations were accepted by the Cabinet Member. As a result of the CMD decision the following stakeholders were contacted to discuss their concerns and alternative options: local mosques; local taxi companies; disability groups; local schools; the council’s Special Educational Needs Transport team; the Emergency Services and waste collection services. A targeted consultation exercise on the position of the traffic filter and overall design was also undertaken with the residents and businesses of Howard Street. Feedback from the engagement with stakeholders has been used to develop the recommendations of this report.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management advised that in the light of some concern about recent comments he had made regarding this item, which some members of the public had considered might affect his impartiality, Councillor Liz Leffman the Leader of the Council would, under the provisions of Article 6 of the Council’s Constitution, take the Chair for Item 4. Although he was very clear as was the Leader of the Council that he did not have a predetermined view on this matter he was stepping away from this particular item because he wanted the public to have every confidence in the decision making of the Council and demonstrate his impartiality. He would then resume the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

The Leader of the Council then took the Chair for the duration of Item 4.

On 29 July 2021 the Cabinet Member for Highway Management had resolved as follows:

(a) to note the responses to the non-statutory public consultation on the East Oxford low traffic neighbourhood including Quietways,

(b) agree that officers review the options based on the consultation output, update the proposals and reconsult,

(c)     agree that the outcome of consultation on revised proposals be reported to a future CMD meeting and

(d)     instruct officers to fully assess the impact of the delay on resources and budget on the wider Active Travel programme. 

In accordance with that decision the following stakeholders had then been contacted: local mosques; local taxi companies; disability groups; local schools; the council’s Special Educational Needs Transport team; Emergency Services and waste collection services. A targeted consultation exercise on the position of the traffic filter and overall design had also been undertaken with residents and businesses in Howard Street. Feedback from that engagement had been used to develop the current recommendations of the report now being considered by the Leader of the Council.

City Councillor Katherine Miles also speaking as a local resident in one of the proposed East Oxford LTNs said that failure to implement the LTN would undermine both the county and city council’s plans for sustainable transportation and climate change related infrastructure initiatives and risk bidding for future rounds of central government funding. The East Oxford LTNs were a learning pilot exercise founded on growing evidence based on the benefits of LTNs elsewhere and so implementing them now would confer new insights not just for East Oxford, but for the whole of the city and help inform the development of a strategy for sustainable traffic management in the city. It would also benefit the health, safety, and wellbeing of city residents including children who would be able to walk and cycle safely through the neighbourhood providing cheap, efficient and good exercise as well as benefitting the environment. Sadly many people did not cycle with children due to the current levels of traffic and although cycling was not in itself dangerous through traffic in East Oxford with traffic aggressively cutting through from the Iffley to Cowley Roads made it so as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/21

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/190

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Roads Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Odele Parsons, Senior Transport Planner Tel: 07974 002860

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM5).

The report presents responses received to a proposal to introduce a permanent prohibition of motor vehicles covering High Street and Market Place in Witney. Exemptions to the restriction will apply to buses, taxis, vehicles loading/unloading and those displaying a valid blue badge. The detailed design of the ‘physical’ restriction will be undertaken if the scheme is approved and will take into account and consider the needs of those requiring access. Additionally, the existing 30-minute short-stay parking bays along the western side of Market Square will be converted to 3-hour ‘Disabled Persons Parking Places’.

The proposals are being put forward to:

·           help reduce the level of through traffic in Witney High Street and Market Square,

·           aid pedestrian accessibility and increase safety,

·           aid cycling accessibility and safety by reducing likelihood of conflict with other vehicles,

·           improve bus access and bus journey time reliability, and

·           increase the amount of blue badge parking at key town centre location.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the following measures on High Street (south of its junction with Welch Way) and Market Place in Witney as advertised:

a)        A prohibition of motor vehicles with exemptions applying to buses, taxis, vehicles loading/unloading and those displaying a valid blue badge.

b)        The conversion of the existing 30-minute short-stay parking bays along the western side of Market Square to 3-hour ‘Disabled Persons Parking Places’

The Cabinet Member for Highway management considered (CMDHM5) responses received to a proposal to introduce a permanent prohibition of motor vehicles covering High Street and Market Place in Witney. Exemptions to the restriction would apply with the detailed design of any ‘physical’ restriction taking into account and considering the needs of those requiring access and converting the existing 30-minute short-stay parking bays along the western side of Market Square to 3-hour ‘Disabled Persons Parking Places’. The proposals had been put forward to:

·      help reduce the level of through traffic in Witney High Street and Market Square,

·      aid pedestrian accessibility and increase safety,

·      aid cycling accessibility and safety by reducing likelihood of conflict with other vehicles,

·      improve bus access and bus journey time reliability, and

·      increase the amount of blue badge parking at key town centre location.

Henry Mo suggested that as the consultation response clearly showed a majority of respondents opposed to the prohibition the County Council should respect those views and sanction the reopening of the High Street. Out of 1313 people only 39% had supported the Witney High Street traffic restriction with 1% offering no opinion while 50% strongly opposed it with another 10% showing concern. That showed a clear majority in favour of restoring the status quo.  Those in support had had very little to say, whereas the majority who opposed closure had pointed out that the restriction had not achieved any of the objectives outlined but had made side streets much more congested and polluted and further damaged businesses on the High Street. In addition to the county council consultation results 36 out of 37 businesses in Witney town centre had opposed the restriction and he had with him a 1011 signature petition signed by Witney town centre shoppers also opposing the restriction. Unlike other major towns and cities, Witney High Street had many local independent shops which had seen a 40% drop in trade, partly due to covid, but largely due to non-customer access. The upper High Street had really wide pavements and along with other places in Witney, which were already pedestrianized, there was absolutely no need to close this road to traffic and it should be reopened in line with the majority view.

Speaking in his capacity as West Oxfordshire cycling champion County Councillor Dan Levy considered that this area of Witney had been much improved as a result of this scheme. Trade had been affected by Covid restrictions but he felt that traders would not be adversely affected by the scheme. There was a lot of alternative free parking in Witney, which was preferred by many shoppers and made it an attractive place to visit. It was now more pleasant to walk and cycle and along with proposed improvements for disabled access and to the junction with Corn Street he supported a permanent prohibition.

County Councillor Duncan Enright acknowledged that there been mixed opinion on the scheme but saw that the biggest advantage of the scheme would be a reduction of through  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26/21

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/195

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Vicki Neville, Technical Officer, Parking Management Tel: 07917 921437

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM6).

Following the implementation of a Controlled Parking Zone in Headington Quarry in February 2021, as part of the planned monitoring of the operation of the scheme, officers have been requested by the local member to consult on localised amendments to address issues raised by local residents. The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce and amend no waiting at any time restrictions on parts of Gladstone Road, Trinity Road & Quarry High Street, and to provide additional 2-hour parking places for non-permit holders at Green Road, Pitts Road & Trinity Road.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to:

a)        Approve the removal of ‘no waiting at any time’ (double yellow lines) in Gladstone Road outside No. 4.

b)        Not approve the proposed additional ‘no waiting at any time’ (double yellow lines) in Gladstone Road outside No. 35

c)        Approve the proposed additional ‘no waiting at any time’ (double yellow lines) as advertised on the Northern side of Trinity Road outside No. 21

d)        Not approve the proposed additional ‘no waiting at any time’ (double yellow lines) on the Southern side of Trinity Road.

e)        Not approve the proposed ‘no waiting at any time’ (double yellow lines) in Quarry High Street & Bushnell Close.

f)          Approve the proposed ‘Two-hour parking bays (No Return in 2 hours) Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm’ as advertised on Green Road, Pitts Road & Trinity Road but that consideration is given as part of any future amendment Orders to increase the time limit if required.

Following the implementation of a Controlled Parking Zone in Headington Quarry in February 2021 and as part of the planned monitoring of the operation of the scheme, officers had been requested by the local member to consult on localised amendments to address issues raised by local residents. The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM6) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce and amend no waiting at any time restrictions on parts of Gladstone Road, Trinity Road & Quarry High Street, and provide additional 2-hour parking places for non-permit holders at Green Road, Pitts Road & Trinity Road.

Maurice Daly spoke on behalf of the owner of Quarry Motoring Centre (QMC) a family run business which had been serving the local and wider community for more than 35 years. During that time they been able to rotate customer vehicles between the forecourt and Green Road for service, repair, or MOT servicing on average between 30-35 cars per/day with a maximum of six cars on the highway at any given time. However, introduction of the CPZ had prevented this leading to a reduction in its turnover of 25% with the loss of two full time members of staff in the past quarter. Despite the difficulties thrown at the business over the past 20 months, the garage had remained open throughout the pandemic servicing hundreds of vehicles owned by key workers all whilst small and medium sized businesses had received grants, assistance through changed and amended traffic orders while the owner of this business had been told pre-consultation, that ‘no’ policies could in this case be changed to help his business survive.  The owner had asked the County Council many months before consultation to discuss and try to identify possible solutions but, unfortunately, no meaningful engagement had taken place, other than advising him to comment upon any amendments to the scheme when it was advertised but as the changes were made without prior consultation with him, or the business it presented nothing more than a ‘fait accompli’. It transpired that while daily permits at a cost of £1.00 per day were available to both hotels and guest houses, if required, the owner had been told that QMC could not be treated in the same way. It was difficult to see how such business (Hotels & Guest houses) could be treated as an ‘exception’ and ‘unique’ but different to Quarry Motoring Centre when the former group required permits for guests daily and whose customers need not bring their car to the premises whereas for the latter it was a necessary requirement for their customers to do that as without their vehicles coming with them QMC’s business could not exist or survive.  It was hoped that a possible solution might be put forward which, hopefully the Cabinet Member, would be able to support.

County Councillor Roz Smith reiterated her comments as set out in paragraph 12 of the officer report. However, regarding the issues raised on behalf of QMC motors. Using the highway in this way  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27/21

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/153

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / John Exley, Highway Engineer Tel: 07568 563706

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM7).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on measures on the A44 between the Peartree and Wolvercote roundabouts and the new link road to the A40 comprising a 50mph speed limit on the A44 Woodstock Road north of the Wolvercote roundabout, a 20mph speed limit on the new link road between the A44 Woodstock Road & the A40 Northern Bypass, a 7.5 tonne weight limit to be introduced on the new link road, a  right turn prohibition & no access restriction at the junction of the link road with the A44 and a new staggered signalised crossing for pedestrians and pedal cyclists  across the A44 south of the junction with the link road while noting that further traffic management measures will be progressed at a later stage of the major Oxford North development and be the subject of further consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised:

a)     A 50mph speed limit on the A44 Woodstock Road north of the Wolvercote roundabout

b)     A 20mph speed limit on the new link road between the A44 Woodstock Road & the A40 Northern Bypass

c)     7.5 tonne weight limit to be introduced on the new link road

d)     A right turn prohibition & no access restriction at the junction of the link road with the A44 

e)       a new staggered signalised crossing for pedestrians and pedal cyclists across the A44 south of the junction with the link road

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM7) responses received to a statutory consultation on measures on the A44 between the Peartree and Wolvercote roundabouts and the new link road to the A40 which comprised a 50mph speed limit on the A44 Woodstock Road north of the Wolvercote roundabout, a 20mph speed limit on the new link road between the A44 Woodstock Road & the A40 Northern Bypass, a 7.5 tonne weight limit to be introduced on the new link road, a  right turn prohibition & no access restriction at the junction of the link road with the A44 and a new staggered signalised crossing for pedestrians and pedal cyclists across the A44 south of the junction with the link road while noting that further traffic management measures would be progressed at a later stage of the major Oxford North development and be the subject of further consultation.

Jo Sandelson spoke in support of all five recommendations in the report. A resident of Wolvercote for many years she had spoken with many neighbours who were seriously concerned about the impact of the Oxford North Development on their safety and amenity, particularly as cyclists and pedestrians, the increase in traffic levels and the poor provision for active travel in and out of the site. It was disappointing and concerning that this aspect had not been better served through the planning process and the consequences of not getting this right was evident by the calls by residents of Barton Park for expensive and complicated retrospective action to make access to their homes safe. That made today’s decision even more important.  She also asked that the cycle lane on the link road joined up effectively with cycle lanes at both ends, on the A44 and the A40, to include phasing of the lights and encourage residents of the new homes to adopt the right kind of travel choices.

County Councillor Andrew Gant expressed concern that a real opportunity had been missed by the planning authority to genuinely deliver on tackling Oxford’s housing crisis while addressing the dominance of the car and car-driven employment. Provision for cycling and walking infrastructure in and out of the site was very poor and he shared the view that it was hard to see how future residents would be encouraged to walk or cycle to local schools, Parkway station or the city and hoped that ways could be found to address that problem before residents moved in and started demanding retrospective action, as had happened at Barton Park. Supporting the recommendations he hoped that the cycle lanes would tie in effectively with cycle lanes on both the A44 and the A40 and were LTN 1/20 compliant and while welcoming the speed limit proposal suggested that an even lower limit might be more appropriate given this would be a residential frontage. As well as issues of safety and air quality, noise pollution from the A34 was a massive problem in Wolvercote, made worse of course by this huge car-led development and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28/21

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/168

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 /Anthony Kirkwood, Principal Officer – Road Safety Tel: 07392 318871

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM8).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit at Coombs Road, Lavender Drive, Neill Place, Padua Way and Perm Street, which comprise a new residential development accessed from Armstrong Road at Littlemore.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the 20mph speed limit at Coombs Road, Lavender Drive, Neill Place, Padua Way and Perm Street.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM8) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit at Coombs Road, Lavender Drive, Neill Place, Padua Way and Perm Street, which comprise a new residential development accessed from Armstrong Road at Littlemore.

The local member County Councillor Michele Paule had submitted a written representation supporting the 20mph speed limit to increase safety for residents but also calling for suitable enforcement, not only for cars but for e-scooters and cycles.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management having regard to the information set out in the report together with the representations received from the local member confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve as advertised the 20mph speed limit at Coombs Road, Lavender Drive, Neill Place, Padua Way and Perm Street.

Signed…………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing………………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/170

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Jim Whiting, Principal Officer – Parking Tel: 07584 581187

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM9).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to enable Car Club operators to apply for parking permits for their vehicles so that car club users can park under the same conditions as Resident Permit holders in the Controlled Parking Zones the cars are allocated to, in order to provide greater flexibility and convenience for their users and to supplement the few existing designated Car Club parking places (the latter are proposed to be retained). Applications for the permits and the payment of the annual permit fee will be the responsibility of the Car club operators.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the allocation of zone-specific parking permits for Car Club vehicles (on application by the Car Club operator and payment of the relevant annual fee) within all Controlled Parking Zones in Oxford.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM9) responses received to a statutory consultation to enable Car Club operators to apply for parking permits for their vehicles so that car club users could park under the same conditions as Resident Permit holders in the Controlled Parking Zones where the cars were allocated to and providing greater flexibility and convenience for car club users.

County Councillor Andrew Gant declared that he was a subscriber to the co wheels car club. He supported the further roll-out of car clubs in Oxford which had been a great success and were clearly well used. However, one of the challenges to further take up among residents was that the places where they were parked were not evenly distributed across the city and so providing the necessary support in the form of parking spaces was entirely in line with the county’s fair deal alliance’s stated aim of reducing private car use. This was a step towards doing that and he hoped it would also continue to be a feature of large developments.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management fully supported the provision of alternative options and having regard to the information set out in the report before him together with the representations made to him at the meeting confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve as advertised the allocation of zone-specific parking permits for Car Club vehicles (on application by the Car Club operator and payment of the relevant annual fee) within all Controlled Parking Zones in Oxford.

Signed…………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing……………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/152

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Ben Smith, Infrastructure Local Lead Central Tel: 07392 318877

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM10).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on changes to residents’ parking and double yellow lines in the Jericho and North Oxford Controlled Parking Zones in:

·           Cranham Street

·           Great Clarendon Street

·           Nelson Street and

·           Hayfield Road

These changes would allow the introduction of a total of 5 bicycle hangars (2 are proposed for Hayfield Road) which equates to secure on street parking for 30 bicycles in total across these four streets and encourage greater ownership and use of bicycles. Whilst the final details of how the hangars would operate are yet to be resolved, it is the intention that they should be introduced on a trial basis which will help guide officers and councillors when considering the possibility of further hangars elsewhere in the city.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve proposals to change existing residents’ parking and double yellow lines to allow the introduction of bicycle hangars in Cranham Street, Nelson Street and Great Clarendon Street as advertised but not in Hayfield Road. 

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM10) responses received to a statutory consultation on changes to residents’ parking and double yellow lines in the Jericho and North Oxford Controlled Parking Zones in Cranham Street, Great Clarendon Street, Nelson Street and Hayfield Road to allow introduction of 5 bicycle hangars securing on street parking for 30 bicycles in total across those four streets. The final details of how the hangars would operate were yet to be resolved but the intention was that they be introduced on a trial basis to guide future provision elsewhere in the city.

Two further representations received within the consultation period but too late to be included in the report had been tabled in full and made available to the Cabinet Member. Officer advice had been neither representation would have changed the recommendation in the report.

Danny Yee as a resident of East Oxford advised that he would not be directly affected by these bike hangars but supported the proposal. This first trial for secure on-street cycle parking in Oxford would be critical in establishing their viability. There was a pressing need for these facilities all around Oxford and he urged that the trial period be short in order to confirm that the hangars were used, presented no accessibility issues for the people using them or problems for other people to facilitate a larger roll out across Oxford.

Speaking in support of the proposals County Councillor John Howson hoped that it would encourage active travel initiatives. Acknowledging the objections from the residents of Hayfield Road he hoped that the residents’ association might in the future recognise the benefits of such facilities having recently counted 37 bicycles on the roadside.

Acknowledging the comments from the speakers and having regard to their remarks and the information contained in the report before him the Cabinet Member for Highway Management confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve proposals to change existing residents’ parking and double yellow lines to allow the introduction of bicycle hangars in Cranham Street, Nelson Street and Great Clarendon Street as advertised but not in Hayfield Road. 

Signed………………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing……………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/179

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Rashid Bbosa, Senior Transport Planner Tel: 07917 534264

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 Mansfield Road in place of existing Pay and Display parking places adjacent to an existing vehicle access due to an increase in the use of the access as a result of approved development.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed amendments to waiting restrictions and pay and display parking places as advertised at Mansfield Road.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM11) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce no waiting at any time restrictions on Mansfield Road in place of existing Pay and Display parking places adjacent to an existing vehicle access due to an increase in the use of the access as a result of approved development.

The Cabinet Member advised that having looked at this issue very carefully he felt the proposal was not in keeping with pedestrian priority. Additionally there was no accident history.

Officers acknowledged the point regarding pedestrian priority but advised strongly that the proposals merited support on safety grounds and although there was no accident history there were other junctions in the vicinity on what was a busy cycle route.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management believed that the question of pedestrian priority merited further consideration and so having regard to the representations made to him at the meeting including the advice of officers regarding safety issues confirmed his decision as follows:

to defer for further consideration proposed amendments to waiting restrictions and pay and display parking places as advertised at Mansfield Road.

Signed…………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing……………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/193

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Vicki Neville, Technical Officer, Parking Management Tel: 07917 921437

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMHM12).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation of 3 separate proposals including:

·           A proposal to remove a section of no waiting at any time restrictions (double yellow lines) and proposed extension of a permit holders parking bay in Ferry Road.

·           A proposal to introduce a section of no waiting restriction (single yellow line) and removal of existing permit holders parking bay in Hayes Close.

·           A proposal to remove a section of no waiting at any time restrictions (double yellow lines) and proposed extension of permit holders or 2 hour parking bay in Nicholson Road

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed amendments to waiting restrictions and parking places as advertised in:

a)        Hayes Close & Nicholson Road

b)        Ferry Road.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM12) responses received to a statutory consultation on 3 separate proposals including:

·           Removal of a section of no waiting at any time restrictions (double yellow lines) and proposed extension of a permit holders parking bay in Ferry Road.

·           Introduction of a section of no waiting restriction (single yellow line) and removal of existing permit holders parking bay in Hayes Close.

·           Removal of a section of no waiting at any time restrictions (double yellow lines) and proposed extension of permit holders or 2 hour parking bay in Nicholson Road.

Mrs J Seedhouse referred to an undertaking given in 2019 that the parking bay outside her house in Hayes Close, Marston would be removed but nothing had been done to date.  The bay was often used by unauthorised vehicles which  often blocked her view and light and on many occasions she had seen parents with young children in pushchairs forced to go onto the road to get past these large vehicles. Parking in the bay also increased the risk of vehicle collisions because there was less space and limited vision for delivery drivers going left or right into Hayes Close. For these reasons she supported the proposal to remove the parking bay with provision of a new parking bay in Nicholson Road, on the corner with Hayes Close.

Acknowledging the views put forward by the speaker and having regard to the information in the report before him the Cabinet Member for Highway Management confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve the proposed amendments to waiting restrictions and parking places as advertised in:

(a)      Hayes Close & Nicholson Road

(b)      Ferry Road.

Signed…………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing……………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/180

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Jet Dehal, Senior Engineer (Road Agreements Team S&V Engineering 2) Tel: 07767 648708

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM13).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on measures required due to adjacent residential development and the associated construction of a proposed new roundabout junction and carriageway realignment which will see the existing Benson village 30mph speed extended by approximately 380 metres north-eastwards to cover the proposed new roundabout and its circulatory carriageway and replacing the existing 50mph speed limit. Additionally, due to the proposed carriageway realignment, a section of the B4009 The Sands will be closed to motor vehicle traffic and used as a dedicated two-way cycle only track and a traffic calming ‘build-out’ feature constructed on the southern side of the carriageway with vehicle priority given to traffic travelling north-eastwards out of the village.   

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised:

a) the extension of the Benson village 30mph speed limit to include the new roundabout;

b) a prohibition of motor vehicles on the section of the B4009 The Sands which is proposed to be closed to motor vehicle traffic and will be used as a dedicated two-way cycle track;

c) a traffic calming ‘build-out’ feature on the southern side of the carriageway with vehicle priority given to traffic travelling out of the village.

Adjacent residential development and associated construction in Benson village required a proposed extension of the existing Benson village 30mph speed by approximately 380 metres north-eastwards to include a proposed new roundabout junction and carriageway realignment and replace the existing 50mph speed limit. Also due to the proposed carriageway realignment, a section of the B4009 The Sands would be closed to motor vehicle traffic and used as a dedicated two-way cycle only track with a traffic calming ‘build-out’ feature constructed on the southern side of the carriageway with vehicle priority given to traffic travelling north-eastwards out of the village.  The report before the Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM13) responses received to a statutory consultation on the measures.

The local member Councillor Felix Bloomfield had submitted a written representation advising that while he had no objection to the proposals in principle it was questionable whether there was a need for a dedicated two-way cycle track on the section of the B4009 to be closed to motor vehicles and whether cyclists should be encouraged to use the B4009 north of the proposal especially with the increased traffic flow away from Benson that would come as a consequence of the new Benson Relief Road. The road was seldom used currently by cyclists due to concerns over highway safety and while he supported highway safety improvements on the B4009 north of Benson that was not what was being proposed here. He understood that the developers were paying the costs for these works but there were questions over ongoing maintenance of the cycle track and potential costs to the local tax payer.

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

to approve as advertised:

a)   the extension of the Benson village 30mph speed limit to include the new roundabout;

b)   a prohibition of motor vehicles on the section of the B4009 The Sands which was proposed to be closed to motor vehicle traffic and would be used as a dedicated two-way cycle track;

a)     a traffic calming ‘build-out’ feature on the southern side of the carriageway with vehicle priority given to traffic travelling out of the village.

Signed……………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing………………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/113

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545/Ryan Moore, Senior Engineer (Road Agreements Team S&V Engineering 2) Tel: 07557 082568

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM14).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed provision of flat top road humps at Grove Road Harwell to help achieve better compliance with the 20mph speed limit already in place.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the flat top road humps at Grove Road Harwell at the following locations:

a)        approximately 27 metres north west of its junction with Manor Green, to include an uncontrolled Pedestrian crossing point;

b)        approximately 60 metres south east of its junction with The Croft.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM14) responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed provision of flat top road humps at Grove Road Harwell to help achieve better compliance with the existing 20mph speed limit.

Councillor Sally Povolotsky had advised that it appeared that the issues of concern raised by the parish council referred to the current consultation and not the item for consideration today. She supported the proposed build out.

Noting the comments of 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 flat top road humps at Grove Road Harwell at the following locations:

a)     approximately 27 metres north west of its junction with Manor Green, to include an uncontrolled Pedestrian crossing point;

b)     approximately 60 metres south east of its junction with The Croft.

Signed…………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing……………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/176

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Lee Turner, Principal Officer - Traffic Schemes Tel: 07917 072678

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM15).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 40mph speed limits on the A415 at Frilford and at Kingston Bagpuize. The proposal for Frilford comprises an extension of an existing 40mph speed limit by an additional 300 metres to cover the proposed improvement works at the Farm Centre access junction and at Kingston Bagpuize, the introduction of a new 40mph ‘buffer’ speed limit 365 metres  long to meet the existing Kingston Bagpuize 30mph speed limit to reduce speeds on the entry to the village, particularly the village nursery.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of 40mph speed limits on the A415 as advertised:

a)        Frilford:  An extension of the existing 40mph speed limit in the vicinity of the Millets Farm Centre south-westwards by an additional 300 metres, to cover the proposed improvement works at the Farm Centre access junction;

b)        Kingston Bagpuize: A new 40mph speed limit extending south-eastwards for 365 metres from the existing Kingston Bagpuize 30mph speed limit.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM15) responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 40mph speed limits on the A415 at Frilford and at Kingston Bagpuize. The proposal for Frilford comprised an extension of an existing 40mph speed limit by an additional 300 metres to cover proposed improvement works at the Farm Centre access junction and at Kingston Bagpuize introduction of a new 40mph ‘buffer’ speed limit 365 metres long to meet the existing Kingston Bagpuize 30mph speed limit to reduce speeds on the entry to the village, particularly the village nursery.

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 40mph speed limits on the A415 as advertised:

a)     Frilford:  An extension of the existing 40mph speed limit in the vicinity of the Millets Farm Centre south-westwards by an additional 300 metres, to cover the proposed improvement works at the Farm Centre access junction;

b)     Kingston Bagpuize: A new 40mph speed limit extending south-eastwards for 365 metres from the existing Kingston Bagpuize 30mph speed limit.

Signed……………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing………………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/177

Contact: Tim Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Anthony Kirkwood, Principal Officer – Road Safety Tel: 07392 318871

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM16).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 30mph speed limit in place of the existing national speed limit on Shipton Road in Woodstock, for a distance of approximately 190 metres, south and eastwards of the existing 20mph speed limit in the vicinity of the new junction at Cowells Road.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the proposed 30mph speed limit at Shipton Road Woodstock.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management considered (CMDHM16) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 30mph speed limit in place of the existing national speed limit on Shipton Road in Woodstock, for a distance of approximately 190 metres, south and eastwards of the existing 20mph speed limit in the vicinity of the new junction at Cowells Road.

The local member County Councillor Andy Graham supported the proposal.

Noting the support of 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 proposed 30mph speed limit at Shipton Road Woodstock.

Signed…………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing……………………………….