1/21 |
Petitions and Public Address
This Cabinet Member for
Environment Delegated Decisions meeting will be held virtually in order to
conform with current guidelines regarding social distancing. 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 23 April 2021. Requests to speak should be sent to graham.warrington@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
We ask for a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the
technology fails then your views can still be considered. That statement can
either be submitted with your request but should in any event be provided no
later than 9 am 2 working days before the meeting – Tuesday 27 April 2021).
Where a meeting is held virtually
and the addressee is unable to participate virtually a written submission will
be accepted.
Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.
Minutes:
Petitions
A petition was presented by Jamie Hartzell from the Jericho
Low Traffic neighbourhood Group in the following terms:
“We
call on Oxfordshire County Council to implement a northbound traffic filter on
Walton Street at the same time as, and in addition to, their current proposals
to limit southbound traffic in Jericho and Walton Manor. The precise position
of this filter should be decided in consultation with the community. Only by
introducing measures that reduce or eliminate both northbound and southbound
traffic can the Council’s aims of introducing a low traffic neighbourhood and
encouraging active travel be met.”
Presenting the petition comprising of 1,100 signatures Mr Hartzell on
behalf of the petitioners called on the County Council to introduce
measures educing or eliminating both northbound and southbound traffic in
Jericho and Walton Manor. By comparison the Jericho Connections petition
last year that called for the barrier to be re-opened had just
660 signatories but more importantly many of those had been from outside
the area, from places as far away as Scotland, Egypt and even Argentina with
only 387 of them from Oxford City which appeared to represent a familiar
pattern from the anti-LTN, pro-car lobby and a recent petition against the
Cowley LTNs had been found to have large numbers of signatories from abroad and
seemed that activists with no connection to the area are piling in in support
of a cause.
However, 96% of the signatories on this petition were from
Oxford which was nearly three times as many local people
for a low traffic neighbourhood as against and gathered in just 7 weeks whereas
it had taken Jericho Connections 7 months to gather theirs.
Many of the comments in the petition
stated how Walton Street was a much more attractive area to visit now traffic
had been restricted and he quoted some of the comments directed at the Council
itself:
“You need to hold your nerve and drive
positive behaviour change, not cave in to a loud
minority.”
and
“If you insist on reintroducing
northbound motor vehicles from Worcester Street to Walton Street you will be
taking one of the most thoroughly retrograde steps in Oxford over the last few
years, for no good reason at all.”
He hoped as did
many others that we still lived in a democracy and that the Council would be
guided by the facts and not by the shouting. This petition clearly demonstrated
that the majority of people were in favour of stopping
through traffic in Jericho and Walton Manor.
He urged the
Cabinet Member no to take Oxford backwards on its Active Travel, air pollution
and climate change commitments but instead respect the views of the majority
and introduce a scheme stopping all through traffic.
The
petition was received and referred to officers.
Speakers
|
Speakers
|
Item
|
|
John Faux
Jamie Hartzell
Clive Bramley
Danny Yee
Kate Seal
Pip McCallister
Dr Kiki Isidoros
Patrick Davey
Kai Pischke
Pamela Foley
Bernadette Evans
Chris Banton
Abigail Vint
John Mair – connection problems so ... view the full minutes text for item 1/21
|
2/21 |
Oxford: Jericho and Walton Manor Area Pilot Scheme and Walton Street Experimental Prohibition of Motor Vehicles  PDF 430 KB
Forward Plan Ref: 2021/019
Contact: Robert
Freshwater Mobile: 07775007926/Naomi Barnes, Project Manager Tel: 07824
528681
Report by Assistant Director Growth & Place (CMDE4).
In November 2019, the Cabinet
Member for Environment approved implementation of an Experimental Traffic
Regulation Order (ETRO) to restrict motor vehicle access on Walton Street at
its junction with Worcester Street. The
18-month period for this trial concludes on 17 May 2021.
Prior to that date, a decision is
required on whether to make the trial measure permanent or whether it should be
removed. Following formal consultation on the trial
measures between November 2019 and May 2020, the Cabinet Member decided to
continue the experimental order at a Cabinet Members Decisions meeting in
August 2020 pending consultation and progress on a local traffic neighbourhood
scheme. Following receipt of Department
for Transport (DfT) Active Travel funding in
late 2020, an area pilot scheme for the Jericho and Walton Manor area, aimed at
promoting active travel for the area, was consulted on between 5 March 2021 and
19 March 2021. The area pilot was
proposed as an alternative to the current ETRO arrangements. This report
details the outcomes of the area pilot scheme consultation.
The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to:
a)
Terminate the current Experimental Traffic Regulation Order on Walton
Street, to not make the trial scheme permanent and remove all traffic
management measures associated with the trial.
b)
Not proceed with the Jericho and
Walton Manor area pilot scheme consulted on by the county council, in
recognition of local opinion provided during the consultation phase.
c)
Note the wide range of important
issues raised by those opposing, supporting, and neutral about the Jericho and
Walton Manor area pilot scheme proposals.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
In November 2019, the Cabinet
Member for Environment had approved implementation of an Experimental Traffic Regulation
Order (ETRO) to restrict motor vehicle access on Walton Street at its junction
with Worcester Street. The 18-month
period for that trial was due to conclude on 17 May 2021.
Prior to that date, a decision
was required on whether the trial measure should be made permanent or whether
it should be removed. Following formal consultation on the trial
measures between November 2019 and May 2020, the Cabinet Member had decided in
August 2020 to continue the experimental order pending consultation and
progress on a local traffic neighbourhood scheme. Following receipt of Department for Transport
(DfT) Active Travel funding in late 2020, an area pilot scheme for the
Jericho and Walton Manor area, aimed at promoting active travel for the area,
was consulted on between 5 March 2021 and 19 March 2021. The area pilot was proposed as an alternative
to the current ETRO arrangements and this report details the outcomes of
consultation on that pilot scheme.
Before considering the officer
report and hearing from speakers the Cabinet Member wanted to remind the
meeting of the background to and amount of work that had been undertaken
through a number of county council led road safety measures and restricted
traffic calming schemes in the Jericho and Walton Manor area, which had
included measures on Kingston Road, St Bernard’s Road and Hayfield
Road/Aristotle Lane.. The area also showed a strong base for active travel
measures and work to date had provided strong figures and a good basis on which
to consider these trials and experiments. In addition to the specific schemes
for traffic calming along the whole length of Walton Street and in Observatory
Street and Frenchay Road a traffic filter had been provided on the western end
of Polstead Road, Little Clarendon Street had non raised calming measures and
raised side road entry treatments had been installed at junctions of all side
roads along the Woodstock Road except Little Clarendon Street. Furthermore, a
review of traffic accident data had suggested that it was unlikely that through
traffic would have been a contributory factor in a great many of the incidents
reported in this area. By drawing
attention to this now illustrated how much care and attention Oxfordshire
County Council had delivered to this area.
John Faux spoke as a resident of
Jericho who worked in Kidlington. As a walker, runner, cyclist, motorcyclist,
motorist and also passionate supporter of local businesses, he estimated that
90% of his journeys outside of work were to Walton Street or Little Clarendon
Street. Since Walton Street had been closed walking, running and cycling had
become infinitely more enjoyable and considerably safer and while he had to
drive a bit further to get in and out of Jericho that was acceptable when
considering the positives now being experienced. Prior to the closure
Walton Street had often been blocked or very busy with traffic and dangerous to
cycle down. He believed a ... view the full minutes text for item 2/21
|
3/21 |
Henley - A4155 Marlow Road - Proposed Puffin Crossing PDF 551 KB
Minutes:
The Cabinet
Member for Environment considered responses received to a statutory
consultation on a proposed zebra crossing on the A4155 Marlow Road, Henley to address
concerns raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Marlow Road near Swiss
Farm.
David Palmer a resident at Swiss
Farm Park Homes since 2000 explained that Swiss Farm was a community of 80
homes comprising 160 residents many of whom were elderly. In addition to this
there was an adjoining camp site with 90 pitches and some 360 occupants during
the summer months with potentially 520 people wanting to cross the road and
walk into Henley. He regularly crossed
this road to walk into Henley for recreation and shopping and on numerous
occasions had had to wait for long periods of time to cross. There was also a
bus stop across the road so this crossing would enable easy access for that.
The officer report stated that when the traffic study had been completed there
had been 3,624 car movements with 452 pedestrians attempting to cross the road.
Including 6 wheelchairs and 101 accompanied under 16 year olds. He considered
that that alone demonstrated the need for a crossing. This was not just about elderly
residents but also the many families with young children that spend their
holidays at Swiss Farm Camping and it was unacceptable to have to gain access
to the town by first crossing a racetrack to get to the only footpath on the
other side of the road particularly as there was now an acceptable solution.
Costs were to be met by Henley Town Council and he asked the Cabinet Member to
accept the officer recommendation to approve the puffin crossing on the Marlow
Road.
Endorsing Mr Palmer’s comments Councillor
Stefan Gawrysiak referred to the overwhelming support locally with 126 people
in support and only 4 against. The road was heavily trafficked and the scheme
fitted in with the Active Travel Agenda.
The Cabinet Member for
Environment could see no real argument against provision and, therefore, having
regard to the information set out in the report before her and the
representations made to her at the meeting confirmed her decision as follows:
to approve the provision of a
puffin crossing at A4155 Marlow Road, Henley, as advertised
Signed……………………………………….
Cabinet Member for Environment
Date of signing……………………………..
|
4/21 |
Henley - Gravel Hill - Proposed Zebra Crossing PDF 369 KB
Forward Plan Ref: 2021/011
Contact: Tim
Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Lee
Turner, Principal Officer – Traffic Schemes Tel: 07917 072678
Report by Corporate Director for Environment & Place (CMDE6).
The report
presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposed zebra
crossing on Gravel Hill, Henley to address concerns raised over the safety of
pedestrians crossing Gravel Hill near its junctions with Hop Gardens and
Paradise Road.
The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to
approve the provision of a zebra crossing at Gravel Hill.
Minutes:
The Cabinet
Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory
consultation on a proposed zebra crossing on Gravel Hill, Henley to address concerns
raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Gravel Hill near its junctions
with Hop Gardens and Paradise Road.
Tim Hoskins the Headteacher of Badgemore
Primary School spoke in support of the scheme. Nearly 50% of the school’s
pupils lived on the other side of Gravel Hill and therefore had to travel
across this dangerous road twice a day. and whilst he was very proud that many
pupils were walking to school as part of their daily commute, crossing this
road was a great worry to him as even with the new speed reduction in place,
cars travelled too fast along the road with visibility tricky when looking up
the hill. Adding a zebra crossing on Gravel Hill would not only make the road
safer, but it would further encourage more families to walk to school thereby
reducing pollution in the area. He and his staff all strongly supported
the proposal to add a zebra crossing to Gravel Hill which he knew would be
welcomed by the wider school community.
Endorsing Mr Hoskins’
comments County Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak emphasized the problems regarding
speed of traffic on Gravel Hill and the positive benefits to be gained from
this crossing for the school, local residents and also Henley College which was
nearby. There had been considerable support locally with 109 representations in
support and 4 against. The scheme would be funded in part from S106 money with
any shortfall met by Henley Town Council.
Officers pointed out that there was also £5000
CIL money allocated to this scheme which was expected soon and would therefore
reduce any contribution which might be required from the Town Council
Therefore, having regard to the information set
out in the report before her together with the representations made to her at
the meeting the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as
follows:
to approve provision of a zebra crossing at Gravel Hill
to address concerns raised over the safety of pedestrians crossing Gravel Hill
near the junctions with Hop Gardens and Paradise Road.
Signed……………………………………….
Cabinet Member for Environment
Date of signing……………………………….
|
5/21 |
Witney and Eynsham - Proposed Bus Stop Build Outs PDF 204 KB
Forward Plan Ref: 2021/026
Contact: Tim
Shickle, Group Manager – Traffic & Road Safety Tel: 07920 591545 / Geoff
Barrell, Senior Infrastructure Planner Tel: 07392 318869
Report by Corporate Director for Environment and Place (CMDE7).
Formal consultation objections were received following proposed bus stop
build outs in Witney and Eynsham as reported to the Cabinet Member for
Environment Delegated Decisions meeting on 17 December 2020. The proposals
responded to passenger access concerns and operator needs to improve journey
time reliability and help meet the Equality Act (2010) strictures. A decision
was deferred to enable further consultations with local County Councillors,
parish/town Councils and bus operators. The report covers those discussions.
The Cabinet Member for Environment
is RECOMMENDED to approve the two amended smaller permanent bus stop build outs in Witney and a year trial for the amended
bus stop build out in Eynsham.
Minutes:
Following formal consultation objections received in respect of bus stop
build outs in Witney and Eynsham, proposed in response to passenger access
concerns and operator needs to improve journey time reliability and help meet tEquality Act (2010) strictures the Cabinet Member for
Environment had on 17 December 2020 deferred a decision on the matter to enable
further consultations with local County Councillors, parish/town Councils and
bus operators. The report (CMDE7) now before the Cabinet Member set out the
outcome of those further discussions.
Councillor Charles Mathew advised that following deferral he had
consulted locally further on the options available for the Eynsham element. Although
there had been 35 responses unfortunately no favourite option had emerged with all
options having serious handicaps.
Therefore, as there was no ideal solution he had reluctantly accepted
the temporary solution as proposed by officers and with a review of the scheme
after one year.
Officers accepted that there had been no stand-out scheme but considered
what was now proposed was a good compromise with an opportunity to review any issues
after one year.
Thanking the local member and officers for their careful follow up on
this the Cabinet Member for Environment accepted that the Eynsham proposal
represented a compromise scheme which would be monitored over the first year to
evaluate any congestion issues that might occur. She noted that the schemes in
Witney would progress on a permanent basis. Therefore, having regard to the
information set out in the report before her together with the representations
made to her at the meeting she confirmed her decision as follows:
to approve the two amended smaller permanent
bus stop build outs in Witney and a year trial for the amended bus stop build
out in Eynsham.
Signed…………………………………………..
Cabinet Member for Environment
Date of signing………………………………..
|
|