Agenda item

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/044

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

Report by Director of Community Operations (CMDE6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to close on road safety grounds the central reserve gap which currently permits the right turn to the A40 eastbound carriageway from the former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40 which is being redeveloped for residential use

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed closure of the central reserve gap which currently permits the right turn to the A40 eastbound carriageway from the former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40, as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to close on road safety grounds the central reserve gap which currently permitted a right turn to the A40 eastbound carriageway from the former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40 which was being redeveloped for residential use.

While accepting the need to improve safety at the junction and appreciating the opportunity which was being taken to undertake this work while this stretch of road was being resurfaced County Councillor Glynis Phillips, however, asked that the matter be deferred in order to consider the matter again in the wider context of traffic and pedestrian movements in the area including the Risinghurst residential area and the options study being undertaken for improvements at the Collinwood Road junction in order to address the safety of residents from Risinghurst and Barton crossing the A40. A report on the latter issue had been delayed but needed to be factored in as it seemed illogical to look at arrangements at one junction in isolation of another so close. Closure of the gap would require residents coming out of the Nielsen development to go left and round the Green Road roundabout which was already the busiest in Oxfordshire or potentially rat run through Risinghurst.  Development at this site would inevitably increase further over time and a strategic approach was required to look at alternatives.

Councillor Sanders endorsed those comments.

While accepting the obvious safety concerns associated with a right turn out of this development site Councillor Roz Smith speaking as a City Councillor and Parish Councillor also supported deferral citing concerns regarding the environmental impact from increased rat running on residential areas in Risinghurst and Quarry. The requirement to review arrangements at the Collinwood junction which she agreed needed to be reopened with lights in tandem with the gap closure was paramount.  Serious delays with traffic often queuing back to Wheatley needed to be addressed and adding more traffic to currently congested roads was not the answer. 

Mr Kirkwood advised that a right turn out of this site was not a manoeuvre he could commend and as a road safety officer could not recommend it be retained. The potential impact on Risinghurst had been recognised in the report and the planning process associated with the development had indicated minimal impact on traffic levels. Furthermore, it seemed reasonable to suppose that most vehicle movements from the proposed development would turn left towards Oxford rather than right and eastwards. Regarding arrangements for potential signalisation at the Collinwood junction he advised separation of the two issues as further development at the Nielsen site could prompt a future renegotiation of arrangements but if left open could compromise the availability of resources.  There were other developments with access onto the ring road.

The Cabinet Member for Environment acknowledged the concerns regarding rat running and matters of safety expressed by officers. However, she considered that this proposal deserved further consideration as part of a bigger picture involving proposals for a pedestrian crossing at the Collinwood Road junction and the potential for reopening the gap in the future with a traffic control.  Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting she confirmed her decision as follows:

to defer consideration of the proposed closure of the central reserve gap which currently permitted a right turn to the A40 eastbound carriageway from the former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40 until the 27 June 2019 meeting to enable further consideration to be given to alternative options and the views of the City Council on those options.

Signed……………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………………..