The Chair introduced the item to the meeting, invited speakers to make their contributions and responded to their points in turn.
The Chair asked about consultation responses from parish councils. Officers confirmed that all of the responses were outlined in the documents and that as a statutory consultee, parish councils would have been informed and given a chance to respond to the proposal. Officers further pointed out that during informal consultation, parish councils responded but they did not during the statutory consultation.
Officers confirmed that the collision data in the report was as reported by the national reporting system and that the collision data was for areas that the speed limit changes were proposed.
Officers stated, as part of the Vision Zero review, that all A & B roads outside the scope of the 20mph project were being systematically reviewed in line with the Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines, and the Council’s own policies, which had changed since the last review around 15 years ago.
Officers noted that the proposed speed limits were in line with national guidance and the significant proportion of rural A & B roads in Oxfordshire.
The Chair noted the response from Thames Valley Police and officers confirmed they felt the proposals were in accordance with national guidance.
The Chair noted concerns raised by bus companies about the cumulative impact of reductions in speed limits on their services, and officers felt that this had been safeguarded within the proposals, and the impact would be small.
The Director of Environment and Highways noted that officers had to make judgments between competing objectives and balances were struck to ensure objectives can be met. It was further stated that in this instance, officers felt the proposals would introduce speed limits appropriate for the roads and that work would be undertaken to manage congestion and impacts on services with the bus companies to meet competing objectives.
The Chair referenced several consultation responses, including from two local Cherwell District Councillors.
The Chair stated that the DfT guidance had been followed and that the proposal was consistent with County Council policy.
The Chair thanked officers for their work, speakers for their contributions and agreed to the recommendations in the report.
RESOLVED to:
a) Approve the introduction of the 30mph speed limit on the A4260 Oxford Road at Bodicote/Banbury, as advertised.
b) Approve the introduction of the following 40mph speed limits, as advertised:
i. A4260 Oxford/Banbury Road at Hopcrofts Holt,
ii. B4030 at Hopcrofts Holt,
iii. A4260 Banbury Road at Shipton-on-Cherwell,
iv. A4095 Bunkers Hill at Shipton-on-Cherwell, and
v. A4095 Upper Campsfield Road at Shipton-on-Cherwell.
c) Approve the introduction of the following 50mph speed limits, as advertised:
i. A4260 Banbury Road at Shipton-on-Cherwell,
ii. A4260 Banbury Road at Rousham,
iii. A4260 Oxford Road at Steeple Aston,
iv. A4260 Oxford Road at North Aston,
v. A4260 Banbury Road at Deddington, and vi. B4027 at Tackley.
d) Approve the introduction of the 60mph speed limit on the A4260 Oxford Road Northbound carriageway at Middle Aston, as advertised.