The Chair introduced the item to the meeting, invited speakers to make their addresses and responded to their points in turn.
Officers stated that infrastructure changes could be looked at going forward, but that the proposals in the report were solely related to speed limits. The last review of speed limits on A & B roads was completed 15 years ago.
The Chair stated that lower speed limits had an important role to play in the Council’s Vision Zero strategy.
Officers commented that the reduction in the width of lanes, including the central hatching, was to deter the use of dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.
The Chair noted that it was the responsibility of all drivers to drive safely.
Officers stated that their recommendations were aligned with Department for Transport (DfT) guidance.
The Chair referred to several consultation responses, including from local parish councils with detailed local insight.
Officers commented that Movement & Place Plans were being drawn up which had the aspiration to make further improvements in the A4074 corridor, as well as in other areas.
Officers committed to reviewing the 50mph stretch of road immediately south of the turn towards Woodcote, given the collision history.
Officers commented that the Council, unlike with the 20mph speed limit guidance, felt that the DfT guidance was appropriate for the wider speed limit review and if it was needed, it could change if officers felt roads that warranted lower speeds were not compliant with the DfT guidance.
The Chair referred to the response by the bus companies, which agreed with the vision zero principles that lower speed limits save lives, but that considerations had to be made to services run by the bus companies, which they say has negative effects on their viability.
The Chair noted the report was deferred to allow for greater engagement with the bus companies on these issues.
Officers noted that they had travelled on bus services to gather evidence on journey times, on the new fleet of buses with had a maximum speed of 56mph. The differences amounted to several seconds, which was lower than had been predicted.
Officers confirmed that the bus companies were concerned over the speeding behaviour along this corridor, but that it might not always apply in other circumstances in other areas, so early engagement was vital.
Officers could not commit to specific mitigations, but it was noted that the Council understands the trade-off and had the same ambition.
It was pointed out that the bus companies were aware of the Council’s intention to review speed limits on all A & B roads, but officers gave a clear commitment to work with bus companies earlier on these schemes.
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 following 40mph speed limits, as advertised.
i. A423 Southern Bypass (Oxford),
ii. A4142 Eastern Bypass (Oxford),
iii. A4074 (Oxford, Heyford Hill),
iv. A4074 (Benson to Crowmarsh),
v. Church Lane (Ipsden),
vi. A4074 (Ipsden to Woodcote),
vii. B471 Oxford Road (Woodcote), and
viii. A4074 (Cane End to Caversham).
b) Approve the introduction of the following 50mph speed limits, as advertised:
i. A4074 (Nuneham Courtenay to Berinsfield),
ii. A4074 (Shillingford to Benson),
iii. A4074 (Benson to Crowmarsh),
iv. A4130 Wallingford Bypass,
v. A4074 (Wallingford to Ipsden),
vi. A4074 (Ipsden to Woodcote),
vii. Exlade Street (Checkendon),
viii. Main Street (Checkendon), and
ix. Reading Road (Woodcote).