Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/112

Contact: Martin Kraftl, Senior Transport Planner, martin.kraftl@oxfordshire.gov.uk 

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM20).

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the following:

a.              The introduction of an experimental bus lane for westbound buses on St Clements Street, London Place and Headington Hill along with necessary supplementary measures, including:

                     i.            removal of the on-street parking bay between Caroline Street and Boulter Street,

                   ii.            conversion of parts of the existing eastbound cycle lane from ‘mandatory’ (solid white road marking) to ‘advisory’ (dotted white road marking),

                  iii.            removal of a short section of eastbound cycle lane between Boulter Street and Bath Street, and

                 iv.            extension of existing cycle lanes in both directions at the signalled crossing west of Caroline Street by relocating the crossing zig zag markings.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the following:

a.     The introduction of an experimental bus lane for westbound buses on St Clements Street, London Place and Headington Hill along with necessary supplementary measures, including:

         i.     removal of the on-street parking bay between Caroline Street and Boulter Street,

       ii.     conversion of parts of the existing eastbound cycle lane from ‘mandatory’ (solid white road marking) to ‘advisory’ (dotted white road marking),

      iii.     removal of a short section of eastbound cycle lane between Boulter Street and Bath Street, and

     iv.     extension of existing cycle lanes in both directions at the signalled crossing west of Caroline Street by relocating the crossing zig zag markings.

b.     Noting that an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order allows the Council to adjust the scheme once it is in force, authorise the Corporate Director for Environment and Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to make changes to the experimental scheme before it comes into force.

The report set out the proposed introduction of an experimental bus lane for westbound buses, with pedal cyclists, e-scooters, taxis and private hire vehicles also permitted.

The Chair read out a written submission from Robin Tucker and invited speakers to address the meeting. The Chair thanked them for their contributions and responded to the points made.

The scheme was designed to improve the area and the Chair referred to paragraph 20 in the officer’s report which stated that the need for the bus lane would be reviewed once the trial traffic filters had been implemented.

Officers responded to questions from the Chair regarding input from the bus companies and stated that the suggestion was to extend the lane slightly westward.

The Chair read out the proposed additional recommendation b) and referred to officers regarding the additional recommendation. Officers explained that it was in response to comments from the consultation and for authorisation before the schemes came into force. 

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the following:

a.     The introduction of an experimental bus lane for westbound buses on St Clements Street, London Place and Headington Hill along with necessary supplementary measures, including:

         i.     removal of the on-street parking bay between Caroline Street and Boulter Street,

       ii.     conversion of parts of the existing eastbound cycle lane from ‘mandatory’ (solid white road marking) to ‘advisory’ (dotted white road marking),

      iii.     removal of a short section of eastbound cycle lane between Boulter Street and Bath Street, and

     iv.     extension of existing cycle lanes in both directions at the signalled crossing west of Caroline Street by relocating the crossing zig zag markings.

b.     Noting that an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order allows the Council to adjust the scheme once it is in force, authorise the Corporate Director for Environment and Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to make changes to the experimental scheme before it comes into force.