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ITEM EX11

EXECUTIVE – 5 MARCH 2002

CHERWELL 30 MPH SPEED LIMIT PROJECT: PHASE 1

Report by Director of Environmental Services

Introduction

  1. The 30 mph Speed Limit Project for the Cherwell Area has been subdivided into two phases. This report briefly describes the outcome of the initial consultations for the 38 parishes in Phase 1, covering the northern and western parts of Cherwell. Site meeting delays in Banbury have resulted in it being covered in Phase 2 in order to enable Phase 1 consultation to proceed quickly.

    2. Initial Consultation Responses

  2. The preliminary site meetings where local representatives are invited to discuss possible new or amended speed limits, continue to establish a useful rapport with the local community and Thames Valley Police continue to give valuable support by attending most meetings to advise on realistic and enforceable limits. There were far fewer points of disagreement overall compared to the Vale and West Oxfordshire stages, although no obvious reasons why this should be so. The police made four objections although this should be seen in the context of their agreement to new or amended limits in 29 parishes. Full consultation details and copies of all unresolved objection responses are available in the Members’ Resource Centre.

  3. In parishes where no significant objections were received or where they can be accommodated safely, speed limit Orders will be promoted under delegated authority. Any substantive objections and representations in response to public consultation will be reported to the Executive for decision. These 31 parishes are listed for information in Annex 1.

  4. The remaining 10 parishes for which representations have been received are listed in Annex 2, together with my recommendations, including a recommendation in Bodicote contrary to the County Council’s speed limit criteria due to safety concerns. Authority is sought to publish draft Orders in accordance with the recommendations set out in Annex 2 and, subject to there being no further insurmountable objections at the formal consultation stage, to implement the speed limits in Phase 1. Annex 3 lists the County Council’s speed limit criteria agreed by the former Highways & Road Safety Sub-Committee.

    5. Environmental Implications

  5. No major environmental concerns have been raised although recent experience in West Oxfordshire suggests concerns over the intermediate reminder signs can arise once they are erected. All signs will be sited sensitively and local councils have been invited to participate in positioning repeater signs (on existing posts whenever possible). The project manager will meet on site to discuss individual concerns if they arise.

Financial and Staff Implications

  1. Provision has been made in the 2002/03 revenue budget for the 30mph Speed Limit Project for the Cherwell Area. The work will be undertaken from within existing staff resources.

    2.   RECOMMENDATIONS

  2. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

    1. note the objections and representations in response to initial consultation for the 10 parishes set out in Annex 2 and the individual recommendations of the Director of Environmental Services;

    2. authorise the Director of Environmental Services to publish draft Orders as recommended in Annex 2, taking into account (in Bodicote and Drayton) the advice of the Executive Member for Transport and Local Members following an inspection of the site; and

    3. approve the implementation of the speed limits for the Cherwell Phase 1 Parishes as set out in Annexes 1 and 2, subject to the outcome of (b) above and to any objections or representations in respect of the published draft Orders being referred to the Executive for consideration and decision.

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Background papers: Copies of County consultation correspondence and unresolved objections

Contact Officer: Geoff Barrell Tel: Oxford 810450

26 February 2002


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