Agenda, decisions and minutes

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/018

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader, Area Operations Hub Tel: (01865) 810228

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE4).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce waiting restrictions on Burchester Avenue, Green Road, London Road Service Road, The Roundway, Northway and Wick Close, within the Barton and Risinghurst area of Oxford put forward by local county councillors to address parking problems in this area.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Burchester Avenue, Green Road, London Road Service Road, The Roundway, Northway and Wick Close, within the Barton and Risinghurst area of Oxford as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE4) responses received to a statutory consultation introducing waiting restrictions on Burchester Avenue, Green Road, London Road Service Road, The Roundway, Northway and Wick Close, within the Barton and Risinghurst area of Oxford to address parking problems in those areas.

Councillor Phillips expressed support for the proposals but felt that those put forward in respect of The Roundway effectively represented the least worst option. Accepting that something needed to be done to improve what was a dangerous corner she hoped that that element would be monitored to ensure that the needs of residents and local businesses were protected and not adversely affected.

Councillor Roz Smith also welcomed the proposals.  Endorsing the comments regarding The Roundway she understood that there was some space and unused garages to the rear of properties 1 – 8 which could, conceivably, be used to the benefit of residents and businesses and advised that the City Council might be able to assist in identifying ownership. She also asked that the proposals be monitored.

The Leader of the Council acknowledged the support from both local members for the proposals on Burchester Avenue, Green Road, London Road Service Road, Northway and Wick Close.  However, regarding the proposals at The Roundway he accepted they had concerns but felt that what was being proposed now presented the best available option and with proper monitoring and enforcement should alleviate some of the existing problems. Also the possibility of utilising space to the rear of properties 1 – 9 could be worth investigating.  Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before him, the representations made to him at the meeting he confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve the proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Burchester Avenue, Green Road, London Road Service Road, The Roundway, Northway and Wick Close, within the Barton and Risinghurst area of Oxford as advertised.

Signed ………………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date…………………………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/009

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader, Area Operations Hub Tel: (01865) 810228

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE5).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce waiting restrictions on Mill Road and Godstow Road at Wolvercote, Oxford. The proposal has been put forward as part of a proposed residential development at Mill Road.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve  proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Mill Road and Godstow Road at Wolvercote, Oxford as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE5) responses received to a statutory consultation introducing waiting restrictions on Mill Road and Godstow Road at Wolvercote, Oxford put forward as part of a proposed residential development at Mill Road.

Councillor Paul Buckley recognised the need for some sort of restriction. The corner was narrow and would become a more significant junction with the new development. However, he had two concerns. Firstly parking restrictions could adversely affect trade at the White Hart community pub and secondly delivery vehicles, which sometimes needed to park on the road. He suggested that perhaps some additional signing could help alleviate problems.

Mr Kirkwood confirmed that delivery vehicles would be allowed to park on double yellow lines to unload but recognising the valid concerns raised by Councillor Buckley advised that the proposals could be monitored with further discussions held with the community pub.

Acknowledging both the support but concerns of the local member the Leader of the Council welcomed the suggestion by officers for further monitoring and hoped that the proposed development would mean increased trade for the community pub.  Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before him and the representations made to him at the meeting he confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Mill Road and Godstow Road at Wolvercote, Oxford as advertised.

Signed……………………………………

Leader of the Council

Date of signing………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/037

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to amend waiting restrictions and residents parking spaces on Abbey Road and Cripley Place, Oxford put forward as part of a proposed residential development at Abbey Road. 

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposals to amend waiting restrictions and residents parking spaces on Abbey Road and Cripley Place, Oxford as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory consultation amending waiting restrictions and residents parking spaces on Abbey Road and Cripley Place, Oxford put forward as part of a proposed residential development at Abbey Road. 

Councillor Pressell advised that local residents were unhappy that their objections seemed to have been ignored which raised questions regarding the process for proper consultation.  In Cripley Place short stay spaces encouraged drivers to drive around looking for a space which were also used by taxi drivers and buses.

Mr Kirkwood understood why residents might feel aggrieved but these were small changes relating to an experiment on Abbey Road. With regard to Cripley Place the only change was to change 2 currently unrestricted bays to 2 hour staying times. Waiting outside the development would be restricted to permit holders. He acknowledged calls by residents for a wholesale review of parking but in the context of this development that had been felt unreasonable.

The Leader of the Council expressed some surprise that spaces were being used by shoppers as they weren’t conveniently sited close to the city centre. Responding to Councillor Pressell he advised that in this case the City Council had decided how S106 and CIL funding should be spent. Those negotiations were always difficult and a balance needed to be struck and, unfortunately, as officers had advised, that had not allowed for a wholesale parking review and in the meantime he suggested that the proposals be monitored. Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before him and the representations made to him at the meeting he confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve proposals to amend waiting restrictions and residents parking spaces on Abbey Road and Cripley Place, Oxford as advertised.

Signed………………………………….

Leader of the Council

Date of signing………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/010

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader, Area Operations Hub Tel: (01865) 810228

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE7).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a new puffin crossing on the B4044 West Way to replace an existing staggered pelican crossing by the Elms Parade shopping centre put forward as part of a proposed redevelopment of Elms Parade shopping centre.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposal to introduce a new puffin crossing on the B4044 West Way to replace an existing staggered pelican crossing by the Elms Parade shopping centre as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a new puffin crossing on the B4044 West Way by the Elms Parade shopping centre and replacing an existing staggered pelican crossing. The proposal had been put forward as part of a proposed redevelopment of Elms Parade shopping centre.

Mr Tester referred to significant local support for the proposal.  Acknowledging concerns regarding the narrow footway between the Poplar Road and Elms Road junctions he confirmed that the current lane configuration prevented any widening of the footway without first undertaking major reconstruction work which would then compromise safety at the Poplar Road junction and bus lane.

Councillor Judy Roberts also supported a replacement straight through crossing. Accepting there were good engineering reasons for not widening the footway she hoped that as an alternative some consideration could be given, as had been suggested by one resident, to the provision of railings. The pavement at this point was extremely narrow nt and having regard to the large numbers of children and elderly people that used the crossing it could help to improve safety.  She hoped this particular area could be included in any corridor review and welcomed proposals to investigate provision of 20 mph signing at school journey times. Finally, she felt that tree planting proposed close to the pedestrian traffic light on the west carriageway was inappropriate and should be resited.

Acknowledging the points raised Mr Kirkwood confirmed that arrangements would be made to ensure overgrowth on the northern side was cut back. A 20 mph speed limit would be considered as part of any proposed wider study and in the meantime, while there was no available funding for 20 mph advisory signing or erection of safety barriers discussions could be held to see if that was a realistic option.

The Leader of the Council noted the support of the local member for the provision of the straight through crossing along with the officer response to her points raised regarding resiting the tree, removal of overgrown vegetation and provision of safety barriers and advisory 20 mph signing. He accepted that widening of the carriageway although desirable was not practical and therefore, having regard to the information as set out in the report before him together with the representations made to him at the meeting confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve the proposal to introduce a new puffin crossing on the B4044 West Way to replace an existing staggered pelican crossing by the Elms Parade shopping centre as advertised.

Signed………………………………………..

Leader of the Council

Date of signing……………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/044

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE8).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce waiting restrictions on Collett and Hawksworth roads within the Southmead Industrial Estate at Didcot. The proposals have been put forward as part of a proposed commercial development at Hawksworth and in response to concerns over road safety and traffic delays arising from parking on roads within the Southmead Industrial Estate Station Road.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Collett and Hawksworth roads within the Southmead Industrial Estate at Didcot as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE8) responses received to a statutory consultation introducing waiting restrictions on Collett and Hawksworth roads within the Southmead Industrial Estate at Didcot. The proposals had been put forward as part of a proposed commercial development at Hawksworth and as a response to concerns over road safety and traffic delays arising from parking on roads within the Southmead Industrial Estate Station Road.

Having regard to the information set out in the report before him the Leader of the Council confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Collett and Hawksworth roads within the Southmead Industrial Estate at Didcot as advertised.

Signed……………………………………….

Leader of the Council

Date of signing………………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/029

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE9).

Officers had been aware of local concerns for a number of years about commuter parking in the vicinity of Radley Station, particularly since the introduction of charges when the station car park was extended to meet the growing demand for parking there. Recognising that the station and associated car park management regime were leading to overspill into local streets, FGW (the operator of the station) provided funding to facilitate the introduction of restrictions and a number of meetings were held with Radley Parish Council, the local County Councillor and local residents to discuss possible options. In 2015 an informal consultation was carried out throughout the village seeking views on the extent of parking restrictions and in the light of the responses received an Experimental Order was introduced in late 2016.

The report considers responses and comments received following the implementation of that Experimental Traffic Regulation Order introducing parking restrictions in the vicinity of Radley Station.

An Experimental Traffic Order is one where formal consultation takes place after the scheme is introduced but prior to deciding whether to make the restrictions permanent.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to:-

a) approve the making of a permanent traffic regulation order for the parking restrictions in Radley that were the subject of the Experimental Order;

b) instruct officers to liaise with Radley Parish Council to develop additional restrictions, to carry out formal consultation and to report the results of that consultation to a future meeting (if required).

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE9) responses and comments received following the implementation of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order in late 2016 introducing parking restrictions in the vicinity of Radley Station to address local concerns about commuter parking in the vicinity of Radley Station, particularly since the introduction of charges when the station car park had been extended to meet the growing demand for parking.

Having regard to the information contained in the report before him the Leader of the Council confirmed his decision as follows:

a)      approve the making of a permanent traffic regulation order for the parking restrictions in Radley that were the subject of the Experimental Order;

b)    instruct officers to liaise with Radley Parish Council to develop additional restrictions, to carry out formal consultation and report the results of that consultation to a future meeting (if required).

Signed……………………………………..

Leader of the Council

Date of signing…………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/025

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE10).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to provide bus stops, including a bus stop clearway on the south side of the road within a layby, and a pedestrian refuge on the A420 at Buckland, approximately 150 metres north-east of the Buckland Service Station. The proposal has been put forward as part of a proposed development on the south side of the A420 at the Buckland Services site. 

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve  proposals to provide bus stops, including a bus stop clearway on the south side of the road within a layby, and a pedestrian refuge on the A420 at Buckland, approximately 150 metres north-east of the Buckland Service Station as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered responses received to a statutory consultation to provide a bus stop clearway on the south side of the road within a layby and pedestrian refuge on the A420 at Buckland, approximately 150 metres north-east of the Buckland Service Station. The proposal had been put forward as part of a proposed development on the south side of the A420 at the Buckland Services site. 

Councillor Heathcoat referred to a history of correspondence between Buckland Parish Council and the County Council setting out Parish Council support for provision of a footpath rather than 2 new bus stops and to some inconsistency in the observations from the police. The A420 had a poor accident record and she was concerned that the introduction of more bus stops would make it more hazardous. In her view provision of a footpath link from the existing stops to the development would be of greater value to and safer for residents who already walked there to shop. She also had concerns regarding lighting at the pedestrian refuge. She asked that a decision be deferred pending further investigation of available options.

Mr Kirkwood confirmed that the terms of a planning decision taken by the Vale of White Horse District Council required delivery of these proposals.  Referring to the comments regarding an apparent inconsistency in the response from Thames Valley Police he explained that that part of their response had referred to an element of the scheme which had not formed part of the specific consultation for the clearway order. A footpath link of 500m was a fairly long stretch and he wondered whether it would be used consistently. He accepted there were alternative ways of delivering access but the opportunity to do that had passed and failure to agree these proposals could compromise provision of the development.

Questioning the rationale behind the proposal the Leader of the Council wondered whether or not it would encourage people and staff at the new development to change travel patterns to the site. There were obvious constraints on what could be done because of the existing planning permission and as this was a S278 agreement no decision now would mean a return to the planning process. Given the concerns expressed to him by the local member he confirmed his decision as follows:

to defer a decision on provision of bus stops, including a bus stop clearway on the south side of the road within a layby, and a pedestrian refuge on the A420 at Buckland, approximately 150 metres north-east of the Buckland Service Station as advertised to a future meeting to enable further discussion.

Signed…………………………………..

Leader of the Council

Date of signing………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/162

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE11).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit in place of the existing 30mph limit at Swinbrook and a 30mph speed limit at Widford. The proposals put forward by Swinbrook and Widford Parish Council are in response to concerns over road safety and the wider adverse impact of traffic on residents and visitors to the villages of Swinbrook and Widford.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit in place of the existing 30mph limit at Swinbrook and a 30mph speed limit at Widford as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE11) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit in place of the existing 30mph limit at Swinbrook and a 30mph speed limit at Widford put forward by Swinbrook and Widford Parish Council in response to concerns over road safety and the wider adverse impact of traffic on residents and visitors to the villages of Swinbrook and Widford.

Speaking in support Christine Standen a local resident referred to overwhelming local support for the proposals. Local roads had no footpaths and with a number of blind bends cars were always in close proximity with other users. As traffic increased so did local concerns that a serious collision was inevitable. The proposals had been amended to meet some of the points raised by objectors.

Mike Bloor a Swinbrook resident also supported the proposals. The parish council had unofficially recorded a number of incidents and close misses and referring to a ROSPA study in 2017 which stated that 20 mph speed limits reduced traffic accidents and traffic volumes it was hoped that the limit, if approved, would set an appropriate guide for these roads and also improve the quality of life for residents. Funding by the parish council showed their support.

Mr Kirkwood advised that this was one of several parish council funded schemes and confirmed that it met DTP guidelines. Although police enforcement would be negligible officers had no concerns with the speed limits proposed for either village.

Having regard to the information set out in the report and the representations made to him at the meeting the Leader of the Council confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit in place of the existing 30mph limit at Swinbrook and a 30mph speed limit at Widford as advertised.

Signed……………………………………

Leader of the Council

Date of signing………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/030

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE12).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to provide a shared use footway/cycle-track and toucan crossing on the A4095 Burford Road in the area between Springfield Park and Tower Hill, in Witney put forward as part of a proposed residential development on the north side of the A4095 Burford Road.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposals to provide a shared use footway/cycle-track and toucan crossing on the A4095 Burford Road in the area between Springfield Park and Tower Hill, in Witney as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE12) responses received to a statutory consultation to provide a shared use footway/cycle-track and toucan crossing on the A4095 Burford Road in the area between Springfield Park and Tower Hill in Witney put forward as part of a proposed residential development on the north side of the A4095 Burford Road.

Councillor Price welcomed the proposal for a crossing on A4095 but reminded the meeting that she was still also lobbying for a crossing further east. The cycle path was not as good as it should be at this point and she regretted that the views of the Widrush Bike Project appeared to have been to some extent dismissed. The Project, although accepting much of what the report said felt they could still make a useful input on a number of issues and would be happy to discuss those further. She hoped that would help address local traffic issues on side roads.

Mr Kirkwood acknowledged issues remained with regard to side road junctions and although it was probably too late at this stage to make significant changes he would ask colleagues in the Road Agreements team to contact Councillor Price and the Windrush Bike Project.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the suggestion for further local discussion and having regard to the information set out in the report before him and the representations made to him at the meeting confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve proposals to provide a shared use footway/cycle-track and toucan crossing on the A4095 Burford Road in the area between Springfield Park and Tower Hill, in Witney as advertised.

Signed ………………………………….

Leader of the Council

Date of signing…………………………