Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/070

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

Report by Strategic Director for Communities (CA12).

In the light of the monitoring of the operation of Queen Street since the reopening of the Westgate, it is not recommended to progress a scheme to remove any more buses from Queen Street due to the:

·         challenges in delivering suitable alternative bus routeing and associated likely negative impacts on bus operation, passenger experience and the environment of other streets

·         lack of any recorded accidents in Queen Street and

·         very low likelihood that the remaining buses is Queen Street prevent Westgate visitors from continuing their journeys into the rest of the city centre

The situation in Queen Street should continue to be monitored so that any clear changes in the levels of pedestrian safety are identified and action taken if necessary – the council’s position in relation to the removal of buses can of course be revisited at any time.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to allow up to 30 buses an hour to continue to use Queen Street and therefore agree that in updating the Oxford Transport Strategy as part of developing the Council’s new Local Transport & Connectivity Plan (LTP5), the county council’s policy is proposed to be changed so that, subject to the outcome of the LTP update process, it will not be actively pursuing the full pedestrianisation of Queen Street.

The Cabinet had before it a report which considered bus access in Queen Street, Oxford. In the light of the monitoring of the operation of Queen Street since the reopening of the Westgate, it was not recommended to progress a scheme to remove any more buses from Queen Street due to the:

·         challenges in delivering suitable alternative bus routeing and associated likely negative impacts on bus operation, passenger experience and the environment of other streets

·         lack of any recorded accidents in Queen Street and

·         very low likelihood that the remaining buses is Queen Street prevented Westgate visitors from continuing their journeys into the rest of the city centre

The situation in Queen Street should continue to be monitored so that any clear changes in the levels of pedestrian safety were identified and action taken if necessary – the council’s position in relation to the removal of buses could be revisited at any time.

John Paine, Oxfordshire NPC Group, supported the recommendation to continue to allow buses to use Queen Street. They were disappointed at the lack of mention of users with a disability. He sought clarification on a number of points:

·         During the collection of data in 2018 a wider range of factors were looked at and a number of submissions were made by voluntary groups and the public. When is a fuller report on information and submissions made by voluntary group during the collection of data in 2018 to be published by the Council?

·         Does OCC intend to do any further work, in conjunction with Oxford City Council in addressing issues of congestion, pollution, movement of vehicles and difficulties experienced by pedestrians of all kinds in the near future?

·         The Group believe that issues would benefit from benefit from a review of where bus stops are located. In the light of the recommendation made to Cabinet today will OCC explore this?

Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Envirnment, welcomed maintaining the status quo. However, the report did not address other issues such as cyclists versus pedestrian safety. He highlighted the number of cyclists cycling through the area despite regulations to the contrary. The regulations were not enforced. He suggested that either tactile cycle lanes were needed, or the regulations should be enforced. On bus stops Councillor Sanders felt that the distances involved were difficult for the elderly or disabled. He suggested an investigation into the use of Norfolk Street and that it would be helpful for a group of councillors to a have a look at the siting of bus stops in the city centre.

Councillor John Howson, local councillor for St. Margaret’s highlighted the complex nature of public transport in Oxford. Some bus routes were necessary to maintain the city centre loop. Groups opposing had not been able to suggest a viable alternative. It was important to improve connectivity. Councillor Howson referred to the Pick Me Up service. He referred to the problems of cyclists coming across Queen Street at right angles at the junction of St Ebbs. He suggested that there may be some case for improved signage highlighting that it was a bus route. Councillor Howson echoed other comments where the walk to the bus stop was slightly longer and highlighted the X5 towards the station.

Sue Halliwell, Director for Planning and Place presented the contents of the report.

During discussion Cabinet:

·         Considered the issue of cyclists on and crossing Queen Street. There was recognition of the dangers posed by cyclists when they behaved irresponsibly. At the same time the need to encourage responsible cycling was raised.

·         Referred to the improvement achieved by the current position when compared to the previous 96 buses per hour along Queen Street.

·         Commended the partnership working with bus companies and recognised the work that had gone in to maximising the benefit of bus stop placements.

·         Recognised that there were people who would prefer to see the whole of the city centre pedestrianised and that a balance was needed  between access, and safety/environmental concerns. 

RESOLVED:  to allow up to 30 buses an hour to continue to use Queen Street and therefore agree that in updating the Oxford Transport Strategy as part of developing the Council’s new Local Transport & Connectivity Plan (LTP5), the county council’s policy is proposed to be changed so that, subject to the outcome of the LTP update process, it will not be actively pursuing the full pedestrianisation of Queen Street.