Return to Agenda

ITEM EX17

ROAD CLOSURE – FREELANDS ROAD, OXFORD

1. This report reviews the comments received during consultation on a proposed point closure of Freelands Road and recommends its implementation.
2. At present, vehicles (except cycles) are prohibited from driving from Radcliffe Road or Freelands Road (east end) into Freelands Road (west end) – ie from east to west. A Traffic Regulation Order has been advertised proposing the prohibition of driving in both directions at the point where Freelands Road meets Radcliffe Road, with exemptions for cycles and emergency vehicles. The closure has been requested by some residents and City Councillors to stop the abuse of the existing restriction. The proposal is shown on the plan at Annex 1.

Consultation and Discussion

3. The proposal was advertised in October 2001. A copy of the public notice and statement of reasons has been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre. In addition to the public notices, letters were delivered to 150 residents in Nixon Road, Freelands Road, Radcliffe Road and the southern section of Arnold Road informing them of the proposal.
4. In total 18 letters of comment have been received. Of these 11 support the proposal or have no objection to it. The remaining 7 object to the proposal. Copies of the letters received are in the Members’ Resource Centre. Those objecting to the proposal raised two main points:

(a) that the closure will inconvenience those drivers that currently use Freelands Road to access Iffley Road, either from residential roads in the vicinity or as a means of by-passing the traffic signals at the Iffley Road/Donnington Bridge Road junction;

(b) that right turning into Donnington Bridge Road, to travel to Iffley Road, will be more difficult than turning into Iffley Road.

5. While it must be acknowledged that residents will incur some inconvenience by the introduction of the proposal, I consider that the removal of extraneous traffic will provide a greater overall benefit to them, as expressed in the letters of support. Depending on the time of day, difficulties will be experienced exiting residential roads onto the main road network irrespective of the location. For those travelling out of the City the proposal just moves the point at which they make their right turn.

Financial and Staff Implications

6. The staffing implications can be met within existing resources. The funding of the scheme will be met from the OTS budget allocation. The preliminary costs are estimated at £6000.

RECOMMENDATION

7. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to authorise the making and implementation of the Order as advertised.

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Background papers: Letters of comment on file no. 12.6.320

Contact Officer: John Cramer Tel: Oxford 815963

April 2002

Return to TOP