Agenda, decisions and minutes

Any county councillor may, by giving notice to the Proper Officer by 9 am two working days before the meeting, ask a question on any matter in respect of the Cabinet Member’s delegated powers.

The number of questions which may be asked by any councillor at any one meeting is limited to two (or one question with notice and a supplementary question at the meeting) and the time for questions will be limited to 30 minutes in total. As with questions at Council, any questions which remain unanswered at the end of this item will receive a written response.

Questions submitted prior to the agenda being despatched are shown below and will be the subject of a response from the appropriate Cabinet Member or such other councillor or officer as is determined by the Cabinet Member, and shall not be the subject of further debate at this meeting. Questions received after the despatch of the agenda, but before the deadline, will be shown on the Schedule of Addenda circulated at the meeting, together with any written response which is available at that time.

Councillor John Howson

.       What are the rules for parking non-motorised vehicles (such as towed caravans) in CPZs across Oxford? How are they enforced against a residents entitled to park in the CPZ and b] those residents in properties excluded from using the CPZ as a result of a planning condition?

Cabinet Member for Environment

The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) behind each Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) varies from zone to zone, if a particular CPZ is a cause for concern this can be investigated and advised upon.  The TRO states what is a permitted vehicle, some early ones allowed caravans. If a vehicle is parked which is not permitted, then the County Council can progress enforcement action. This includes against non-motorised vehicles.

Supplementary question from Councillor Howson

I understand that these matters are being discussed with the County Council’s legal officers and enforcement team. Do you know when these will be complete?

Response from the Cabinet Member for Environment

As you know there is currently a review of CPZs with no definitive timeline for completion nor can I give you an answer to your specific question regarding removal of non-motorised vehicles as that matter is under investigation. However, the two are not co-dependent and if powers do exist to take action with regard to non-motorised vehicles irrespective of the CPZ review then I hope that could be done as soon as possible..

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/095

Contact: Craig Rossington, Senior Transport Planning Tel: 07880 945891

Report by Director for Planning & Place Communities (CMDE4).

The report considers the key issues raised in the recent consultation on the county council’s intention to undertake an experiment allowing taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) into the Westgate bus link in Oxford city centre.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED not to authorise an experimental TRO for allowing taxis and PHVs into the Westgate bus link.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered CMDE4 key issues raised in a recent consultation on the county council’s intention to undertake an experiment allowing taxis and private hire vehicles into the Westgate bus link in the Oxford city centre.

The officer report had recommended not to authorise an experimental TRO.

Petra Lucacik spoke in support of the recommendation.  As a resident of Tennyson Lodge she had been pleased to see improvements to traffic congestion after the Westgate centre had opened but for this to come back now in the face of the approved planning permission could put that at risk and was worrying for residents. Jurisdiction for governing public highway issues was separate to the planning system and a decision to allow an experiment now would let residents down badly. If this experiment was approved she would like to see a direct focus on pollution issues.

Responding to the Cabinet Member Mr Rossington confirmed that the planning and highway processes were separate but that did not prevent changes being made by the County Council as highway authority having followed necessary procedures.

The Cabinet Member accepted that the request for taxis to use the link needed to be heard as part of the proper and due process.

Richard Munro spoke in support of the recommendation as a Director of the Tennyson Lodge Residents Company. Accepting the separate characteristics of the highway and planning process he pointed out that any variation to the current situation which might result from a TRO could have a bearing on matters entered into and agreed upon with third parties such as noise attenuation from buses which could be found to be inadequate if taxis were now allowed. There were also serious concerns regarding air quality, validation of equipment to be used by the City council and the need to provide at least one years worth of data.

Mr Rossington then responded to questions from the Cabinet Member:

Paragraph 3 of the report confirmed that the reasons for recommending not going ahead had not solely been due to noise and air quality.

There were approximately 1800 buses in a 12-hour period equating to 150 per hour with a 2 way flow.

It was estimated that 350 taxis would use the link over a similar 12-hour period.

He was not aware of any air quality monitoring report and would pursue the matter of validation of equipment. However, he confirmed that monitoring would be required before and after if an experiment went ahead.

Niaz Mohammed for Royal Cars spoke in favour of an experimental order to allow taxis. His company provided transport for colleges; business parks and was the largest service provider for the County Council’s special needs support.  They had undertaken serious investment in eco-friendly hybrid cars with 70 – 80% of their fleet hybrid vehicles. The company had worked hard with the local community to improve its image and had been recognised nationally for its endeavours winning a number of green awards.  Currently service users were having  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44/18

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/031

Contact: Craig Rossington, Senior Transport Planner Tel: 07880 945891

Report by Director for Planning & Place (CMDE5).

The report presents responses received during a statutory consultation on the proposal to amend the layout of the George Street/Hythe Bridge Street/Worcester Street junction in central Oxford. 

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)             approve the changes to traffic movements and introduction of a new Puffin crossing on Worcester Street North as advertised;

(b)             instruct officers to consider the implications of the Botley Road corridor study and Phil Jones Associates report for the design and specification of this scheme;

(c)             instruct officers to investigate further improvements to the design in consultation with key stakeholders and as part of the road safety audit process.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE5) responses to a statutory consultation on a proposal to amend the layout of the George Street/Hythe Bridge street/Worcester Street junction in central Oxford.

She also noted that the local member Councillor Susanna Pressel had expressed disappointment on behalf of the pedestrians and cyclists who were forced to use this dangerous junction to hear that they would have to wait even longer for it to be made safe and efficient. People who lived nearby, for instance in St John Street and Upper Fisher Row would also be bitterly disappointed, and would worry about their health, since the queuing traffic was making air quality very poor in the vicinity. Furthermore, if improvements had to wait on the emerging proposals for Botley Road and the city centre, it could be many months before there were any improvements for which local groups had been campaigning for years.

Christopher Benton for Pedal and Post spoke in support of recommendations (b) and (c) but could not support (a) on grounds of safety.  As a cycle delivery company this junction was a key route for his company operatives into central and eastern Oxford yet it posed serious safety issues for his operatives who collectively cycled 65,000 miles per annum as well as other cyclists. There were often serious delays and there was an urgent need to get improvements at this junction right.

Responding to questions from the Cabinet Member he confirmed that Pedal and Post had not been consulted specifically as part of the proposal but had found details online.  His company had a fleet of 13 bikes with 4 larger trikes being introduced.

Simon Hunt for Cyclox also supported recommendations (b) and (c) but was concerned that (a) was being recommended to go ahead in advance of those two elements.  The “Teardrop” junction as it was referred to it had 11 police recorded injuries with many more incidents unrecorded. If the recommendations were accepted they would want to see a detailed redesign with improvement to the junction within 6 months with non-motorised user audits carried out.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that with regard to (c) that would be considered by her in a public forum.

Graham Jones on behalf of ROX expressed disappointment at the lack of reference to business needs in the City.  ROX supported (b) and (c) but had reservations with regard to (a) which they felt needed further consideration.

Endorsing the earlier comments Councillor Howson also expressed support for (b) and (c). However, drawing particular attention to the needs of pedestrians on Hythe Bridge Street he felt a decision on (a) needed to be held back as he felt the proposals therein were not robust enough to deal with predicted increased movement. It was a main route from the station with narrow pavements and he considered there was potential for a more permanent solution in conjunction with Nuffield college proposals for their car park and the Royal Oxford site.  Removing buses from Gloucester Green would also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45/18

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/063

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

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce toucan crossings (signalled crossings for pedestrians and pedal cyclists), a Pegasus crossing (a signal controlled crossing for horse riders) and bus stop clearways at Dunmore Road, Oxford Road and Twelve Acre Drive at Abingdon and Radley put forward as part of a proposed residential development off Dunmore Road, Oxford Road and Twelve Acre Drive.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposals to introduce toucan crossings (signalled crossings for pedestrians and pedal cyclists), a Pegasus crossing (a signal controlled crossing for horse riders) and bus stop clearways at Dunmore Road, Oxford Road and Twelve Acre Drive at Abingdon and Radley as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a toucan crossing, Pegasus crossing and bus stop clearways at Dunmore Road, Oxford Road and Twelve in Abingdon and Radley. The proposals had been put forward and funded as part of a proposed residential development.

Having regard to the information set out in the report before her including confirmation regarding developer funding the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve proposals to introduce toucan crossings (signalled crossings for pedestrians and pedal cyclists), a Pegasus crossing (a signal controlled crossing for horse riders) and bus stop clearways at Dunmore Road, Oxford Road and Twelve Acre Drive at Abingdon and Radley as advertised.

Signed……………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environmen

Date of signing………………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/066

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

Report by Director for Infrastructure Delivery (CMDE7).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce waiting restrictions on Thornbury Road, Old Witney Road, Witney Road, Bartholomew Close and Willow Edge Eynsham put forward as part of a proposed residential development off Thornbury Road and also in response to concerns over road safety and traffic delays arising from parking on Witney Road and adjacent side roads raised by Eynsham Parish Council.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Thornbury Road, Old Witney Road, Witney Road, Bartholomew Close and Willow Edge Eynsham as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce waiting restrictions on Thornbury Road, Old Witney Road, Witney Road, Bartholomew Close and Willow Edge Eynsham put forward and funded as part of a proposed residential development off Thornbury Road and also in response to concerns over road safety and traffic delays arising from parking on Witney Road and adjacent side roads raised by Eynsham Parish Council.

The Cabinet Member noted that the local member Councillor Charles Mathew had expressed strong support for the proposals not least because Thornbury Road was narrow and met Witney Road beside the Zebra Crossing and opposite the main pupil entrance to Bartholomew School (1200 pupils) and it was currently the habit for those collecting their children to park and wait on these roads.  Once the current development west of Eynsham was underway (160 houses), Thornbury Road would unfortunately also be the main/only entrance for all traffic to it so in the interests of safety and local residents, these measures were necessary although enforcement would be an issue.

She also noted advice from officers that most residents had off-street parking and the availability of alternative spaces in a nearby car park.

Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before her together with the representations including support from the local member and advice from officers given to her at the meeting the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve proposals to introduce waiting restrictions on Thornbury Road, Old Witney Road, Witney Road, Bartholomew Close and Willow Edge Eynsham as advertised.

Signed……………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………….