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ITEM EX16

EXECUTIVE - 3 APRIL 2002

OXFORD CENTRAL AREA TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT REVIEW – EXPERIMENTAL ORDERS

Report by Director of Environmental Services

Introduction

  1. The report considers comments received on experimental orders introduced following the OTS central area changes in June 1999. The report also considers the introduction of another experimental order to assist a bus service.

    2. Experimental Orders

  2. On 1 June 1999 Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) introducing revised waiting, loading and access arrangements were implemented in the central area of Oxford. While these had been the subject of extensive consultation, including a Public Inquiry, there were some initial problems and amendments were made.

  3. These amendments were introduced by using Experimental Orders, primarily to speed up the implementation process and related to the:-

    1. Closure of Keble Road at its junction with Banbury Road (to all vehicles except cyclists). This was necessary to prevent it being used by vehicles travelling from St Giles to the Science Area. This journey is better accommodated at the Banbury Road/Parks Road traffic signals.

    2. Relocation and shortening of the loading bay on the south side of High Street, opposite Queens Lane. This was deemed more suitable than the original location.

    3. Prohibition of entry into the slip road leading into Magdalen Street East to address problems of abuse of the restriction point.

    4. Prohibition of right turns from and left turns into Longwall Street for cyclist/pedestrian safety reasons.

  4. The experimental orders were introduced on 8 June, 8 August, 25 July and 15 July 1999, respectively. Experimental orders can be in operation for up to 18 months before they have to be made permanent or be abandoned. The first six months of the experiment is used as the consultation period. As each of the experimental orders have expired it is necessary, if the provisions of the experiments are to be continued or an alternative proposal is to be considered, now to advertise permanent orders.

    5. Letters Received on the Experiments

  5. Copies of the street notice and statement of reasons for each of the experiments have been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre for reference together with a summary of the letters of comment received and copies of the original letters. The comments were discussed at Annex 1. Only the Keble Road closure generated objections.

    6. Conclusions on Experiments

  6. The closure of Keble Road at its junction with Banbury Road is necessary to prevent it being used by vehicles travelling from St. Giles to the Science Area. This journey is better accommodated at the Banbury Road/Parks Road traffic signals.

    7.   New Proposals

  7. Thames Travel operate the 18 bus service under contract to the County Council. The service would normally operate through the City centre via Park End Street, Worcester Street and George Street. To provide a service for those living in sheltered accommodation in St. Thomas Street, from the Westgate Centre, the service operates via Park End Street, New Road, Castle Street, Paradise Street, Tidmarsh Lane, Park End Street and Worcester Street.

  8. The movement from Tidmarsh Lane into Park End Street requires the bus to make a right turn. This service has been operating for over a year. However, it has been discussed recently that this right turn is prohibited by a TRO. It would appear that when the route was originally looked at, the signing indicating the prohibition was missing and has only recently been reinstated.

  9. The bus provides a much needed service for which there is no alternative route. If this right turn is not provided the service will not be able to operate via the Westgate Centre. Throughout the day this service operates a two hourly service, five journeys in total, all of which are outside the peak period. There is some concern on the safety of permitting the right turn from Tidmarsh Lane. It is suggested therefore that an exemption to the right turn prohibition be introduced experimentally for local bus services only so that its effects can be monitored before considering whether to make the exemption permanent.

    10. Financial and Staff Implications

  10. The staffing implications can be met within existing resources. The funding of any schemes will need to be met from the next financial year's OTS capital programme. The preliminary costs are estimated at £5,000.

    11. RECOMMENDATIONS

  11. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

          1. authorise officers to promote areas for :-

            1. the closure of Keble Road at its junction with Banbury Road to all vehicles excluding cyclists;

            2. the relocation and shortening of the loading bay on the south side of High Street, opposite Queens Lane;

            3. the prohibition of entry into the slip road leading into Magdalen Street East; and

            4. the prohibition of right turns from and left turns into Longwall Street;

            subject to any representations or objections being considered by the Director of Environmental Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport and local member(s);

          2. agree the introduction of an experimental order to permit local buses to turn right from Tidmarsh Lane into Park End Street and to the Order being made permanent subject to any representations or objections being considered by the Director of Environmental Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport and local member(s).

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Background papers: Letters of comment placed on file no. 1927R

Contact Officer: John Cramer Tel: Oxford 815963

March 2002

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