Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2015/119

Contact: John Disley, Policy & Strategy Manager Tel: (01865) 810460

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA7).

The report sets out the key changes to Connecting Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire's Local Transport Plan (LTP4), which was adopted by Council in September 2015, following full public and Stakeholder consultation.  This report outlines the first update to LTP4, which is required to reflect the changed policy context and new and updated strategies. 

Annex 1 summarises the main changes to LTP4. 

LTP4 has been updated in 2016 in response to the rapidly changing national and local growth, economic development, infrastructure planning and funding agendas.  Last year the county council resolved that LTP4 should be strengthened in its aims to reduce air pollution.  Annex 2 sets out how the LTP has been updated to reflect this in more detail.  

The Plan has been designed as a living transport policy and strategy framework document, to be kept under review and regularly updated as significant changes take place which affect transport in Oxfordshire.  It will also directly inform the update of the Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan recently consulted upon and proposed to be completed this autumn.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)          approve the Connecting Oxfordshire update, and to RECOMMEND it for adoption by Full Council at its meeting in July 2016; and

(b)         note the contents of Annex 2 and to instruct officers to undertake work to progress proposals for Clean Air Zones in parallel with proposals for an Oxford city centre zero-emission zone.

Cabinet had before them a report that set out the key changes to Connecting Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire's Local Transport Plan (LTP4), which was adopted by Council in September 2015, following full public and Stakeholder consultation.  The report outlined the first update to LTP4, which is required to reflect the changed policy context and new and updated strategies. 

Councillor Howson, speaking as local Councillor expressed concern over the implications of railway plans that could result in more night running freight trains and felt that other train routes could be developed and that the possibility of air freight ignored. Referring to the proposed bus gates at Worcester Street and St Cross Road Councillor Howson was concerned that this would cut off local residents and he suggested that there should be plans to revamp St Giles. He was disappointed that tunnels remained an option in the current plan feeling that they were  a relatively expensive waste of money.

Councillor Fooks speaking as a local Councillor generally welcomed the plan but questioned the schedule for the A40 works. She also suggested that the proposed bus lane be extended to Witney rather than introducing dual carriageway. The overall aim of the plan had to be to reduce congestion and there was a need to make cycling more attractive. Councillor Fooks raised a number of detailed points around freight transport, signage, air quality and parking.

Councillor Hards speaking as a local Councillor referred to work on Milton Interchange which improved matters travelling North from Didcot but otherwise worsened the situation. He highlighted a number of local issues including concerns around Phase 2 of the Orchard Centre development, the lack of proposals for the northern perimeter of Didcot that needed some relief from traffic congestion and  concern that the implications of the withdrawal of bus subsidies was not recognised in the plan.

Councillor Patrick, speaking as a local Councillor was pleased to see that much of the work of the  cross party working group remained in the plan. Councillor Patrick highlighted the bus and rail strategies and in particular stressed the need for properly integrated public transport links, including effective cross ticketing. She welcomed the news on Grove a Station whilst recognising that there still remained a lot to do and urged the Leader to start this work now.

Councillor Curran, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment generally commended the document but felt that some of the good intentions were compromised. He referred in particular to the impact of the withdrawal of bus subsidies that could lead to a lack of rural buses and rural isolation. He also highlighted the Rail Strategy where he would have wished to see the extension of the Cowley Road line on its original line. Councillor Curran welcomed the work on work place levies and supported the extension of CPZs. The work on low emission zones was welcomed but he stressed the need to find the necessary staff resource.

Councillor Nimmo Smith in moving the recommendations commented that economic growth was dependent on movement of goods and the plan was about compromise and balancing needs. Comments had been bout the need for choice and the intention was to make all forms of transport attractive, working together. Councillor Nimmo Smith stressed that this was an update of the existing plan produced following consultation and that it was intended to be a living working document. He highlighted a number of sections in the plan where there had been changes including the higher priority placed on air quality and the updated proposals for the A40. John Disley referred to the A240 Strategy and requested an amendment which was agreed and is set out below.

Cabinet generally commended the Plan and thanked officers for their work with the A420 working group whose suggestions had been included in the Plan. Officers were congratulated for their work with Public Health colleagues that ensured that public health issues were taken into account. It was noted that the plan relied on the support of other organisations for successful delivery of the Plan.

RESOLVED:           to:

(a)            approve the Connecting Oxfordshire update, and to RECOMMEND it for adoption by Full Council at its meeting in July 2016 subject to the following change:

Delete the third bullet point on page 10 of the A420 strategy document:

“A new roundabout at the A420 junction with Coxwell Road. This upgrade is partially funded by developers of nearby strategic sites.”

Substitute with the following bullet point:

“A significant junction improvement will be required at the A420 junction with Coxwell Road to accommodate known housing growth in the area. The Highway Authority has been negotiating with the developers through the planning process and a full signalisation of the junction is an agreeable solution in principle.”

and;

(b)            note the contents of Annex 2 and to instruct officers to undertake work to progress proposals for Clean Air Zones in parallel with proposals for an Oxford city centre zero-emission zone.