Agenda item

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/075

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE14).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce structural weight limits at the bridges over the Windrush river at Asthall (with the restriction at Asthall also including a width restriction) and Minster Lovell and an administrative amendment to the existing structural weight limit order at the Evenlode river bridge at Charlbury. The proposals have been put forward as a result of a review of structural weight limits required pending maintenance of these bridges. In the case of the bridges across the Windrush river at Asthall and Minster Lovell it is proposed to make permanent the current temporary traffic regulation orders, for which there is a statutory maximum duration of 18 months which is close to expiry.  The proposed amendment to the permanent order for the Evenlode river bridge at Charlbury is for administrative purposes to remove any ambiguity in the order in respect of where the weight restriction applies.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the structural weight limit and width limit at the bridges over the Windrush river at Asthall and Minster Lovell and an administrative correction to the existing structural weight limit order at the Evenlode river bridge at Charlbury as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered a report presenting responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce structural weight limits at the bridges over the Windrush river at Asthall (with the restriction at Asthall also including a width restriction) and Minster Lovell and an administrative amendment to the existing structural weight limit order at the Evenlode river bridge at Charlbury put forward as a result of a review of structural weight limits required pending maintenance of these bridges. In the case of the bridges across the Windrush river at Asthall and Minster Lovell it was proposed to make permanent the current temporary traffic regulation orders, for which there was a statutory maximum duration of 18 months which was close to expiry.  The proposed amendment to the permanent order for the Evenlode river bridge at Charlbury is for administrative purposes to remove any ambiguity in the order in respect of where the weight restriction applied.

She also noted that County Councillor Nick Field-Johnson supported the proposals along with similar support from Councillor Liz Leffman with regard to the bridge at Charlbury.

Jonathon Stowell (Minster Lovell Parish Council) advised that the bridge at Minster Lovell was an 15^th century 4 arch structure but was in a bad state. A crack had appeared in the main arch with further damage to the walling on both sides caused by large vehicles too big to use the bridge attempting to take the tight turns and in view of that it was felt locally that an 18 tonne limit was too high and that it was frequently breached by 3 axle vehicles. A lower limit would be more suitable.  They were also concerned locally that forthcoming changes to restrictions to the bridge limit in Burford would lead to overspill traffic unless the Minster Lovell bridge was given the same restriction of 7.5 tonnes and therefore the parish council were asking for the limit to be reduced.

Officers confirmed that they were progressing with changes to Burford Bridge along with a 7.5 tonne weight restriction through Minster Lovell commencing at the Asthall Barrow roundabout along Burford Road to Minster Lovell.  That was in connection with the new Downs Road roundabout on the A40 and should prevent lorries over 7.5 tonnes accessing minster Lovell except for access.  However, signing for that was still some way off.

Mr Stowell sought clarification why an 18 tonne limit was being pursued on the bridge when a 7.5 tonne weight restriction was being imposed on roads.

Officers advised a structural limit would still be required for the time being and that the two issues needed to be kept separate.

The Cabinet Member advised Mr Stowell that she needed to make a decision on this issue today due to the expiry of the temporary restriction but that there was nothing to stop Minster Lovell parish Council from putting an application for a 7.5 tonne weight limit and she further undertook that that should be done as part of Oxfordshire County Council’s revenue budget.  Therefore having regard to the information in the report and the representations made to her at the meeting the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the structural weight limit and width limit at the bridges over the Windrush river at Asthall and Minster Lovell and an administrative correction to the existing structural weight limit order at the Evenlode river bridge at Charlbury as advertised with the suggestion that Minster Lovell Parish Council submit a separate application for a 7.5 tonne restriction with that consultation funded by Oxfordshire County Council.

Signed……………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………..