Agenda item

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 be a step forward. The retail world was changing and it was not just about Westgate and with access to many retail outlets at this end of the city it was important to get it right this time.

Mr Rossington accepted that recommendation (a) meant that some traffic would be required to travel further but officers felt the proposals would help traffic flow and therefore change now was justified although nothing would be done on the ground until (b) and (c) had been completed.  He was not aware of any recorded accidents since introduction of the “teardrop” traffic island element.

Responding to the Cabinet Member he confirmed that consideration could be given to provision of a yellow box at the Worcester Street South entrance point to the car park and possibly moving the lights back into Park End Street.

Responding to a concern expressed by Mr Benton regarding the west to east flow and problems at the new junction with cyclists having to veer into the traffic Mr Kirkwood felt that as that manoeuvre was routinely done at many other junctions it did not give him cause for concern and in his experience was rarely associated with accidents. Alternatively there was an alternative route in via Park End Street.

Mr Rossington agreed that would be a quieter and more attractive alternative route for some cyclists because of less traffic.

Councillor Sanders had no problems with the proposals as set out at Annex 1 to the officer report particularly if it relieved congestion.  However, any proposals would need to be monitored carefully.

The Cabinet Member felt minded to approve (b) and (c) with a request that Pedal and Post be added as a consultee.  With regard to (a) she initially felt that the puffin crossing element was approvable but that the rest of the scheme should be delayed pending progress on (b) and (c). However, on further advice from officers she accepted that it would better if the whole of (a) was deferred. Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before her together with the representations made to her at the meeting she confirmed her decision as follows:

(a)   defer approval of 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 with further monitoring to include non-motorised users and that Pedal & Post be added as a key stakeholder with regard to the investigation of further improvements as outlined here.

Signed………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………….