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ITEM EX9

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS AND INTERCHANGE AT LEWKNOR

Introduction

1. There have been concerns for many years about road safety on the B4009 at Lewknor in the vicinity of Junction 6 with the M40 (see attached location plan.) In recent years motorists have driven here to use the Oxford Tube express bus service to London and have been parking in increasing numbers on adjacent verges.
2. In 1999, the County Council successfully submitted a bid to Government for Rural Bus Challenge funds to operate a wheelchair accessible feeder service in South Oxfordshire that would interchange with the Oxford Tube service at Lewknor, and offer wider travel opportunities in the area, particularly between the peak periods.
3. This report seeks approval for an improvement scheme to allow detail design work to proceed and to allow formal consultation on the necessary traffic orders to be undertaken. It also summarises how the proposals to introduce the new feeder service have been developing.

Improvement Scheme Development

4. There have been 27 reported injury accidents in the last 5 years on the length of the B4009 at and between the junctions with the M40 slip roads at Lewknor. They have been mainly associated with movements at the junctions, rather than with the Oxford Tube operation.
5. Following the decision on Government funding of the Rural Bus Challenge scheme, the issue of safety at Lewknor has been reviewed. We also examined how we could best arrange the stopping points for the taxibus feeder vehicles to ensure they were adjacent to the stops for the Oxford Tube service. With the likelihood that taxibuses would arrive from one direction and then turn round before or after picking up or setting down passengers, it was recognised that we needed to consider how the vehicles could safely turn. Similar considerations apply for private cars dropping off passengers, and for motorists parking nearby.
6. Our term consultants Babtie were then appointed to develop proposals in accordance with the aims and objectives set out in Annex 1. Following consultation with local Councils a series of options was developed. A preferred option was presented to the former Highways & Road Safety Sub-Committee on 23 August 2001, and agreed as the basis for further consultation.
7. The scheme has since been the subject of further development and consultation and the revised proposal is shown on Drawing No BPS 087219/01/03, to be displayed at the meeting. Proposed traffic regulation orders needed to complement the scheme are shown on Drawing No BSP 087219/02/01. The scheme is described more fully in the Detailed Project Appraisal at Annex 2. (This is circulated simply for information as the cost of the scheme is some way below the level at which formal approval by the Executive is required.) A summary of the views expressed during the development of the project is being circulated separately to members of the Executive and is available for public inspection; a copy has also been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre. It is anticipated that the improvement scheme as proposed would not only facilitate operation of the taxibus service and interchange, but would also make a significant contribution to the Council’s casualty reduction targets, and enhance community safety while facilitating operation of the taxibus service and interchange.
8. If approved now by the Executive, it would be possible to continue preparing the scheme so that an early start would be possible in the next financial year if funding is made available.

Development of Proposed Taxibus Service

9. An interview survey of users of the Oxford Tube service at Lewknor has been undertaken to establish the origin of their journeys and their mode of travel to the stop at Lewknor. A report of the findings has been placed in the Members’ Resource Centre. Following this and consultations with local councils, the proposed routes of the South Oxfordshire taxibus services were agreed by Public Transport Sub-Committee in February 2001. Since then further observations and suggestions have been received and these and draft timetables will need to be reconsidered before tenders are invited for these services. It is suggested that this be delegated to me in consultation with the Executive Members for Transport and Strategic Planning & Waste Management, and allowing for input by local members.
10. It is my view that the taxibus service should not be introduced ahead of implementation of the improvement scheme. Safe and convenient interchange with the Oxford Tube cannot be provided satisfactorily with the current highway layout. It is also important that the limited revenue support included in the Government funding is not dissipated before the improved taxi bus interchange is fully operational.

Environmental Implications

11. The site of the scheme is in a very sensitive location and the implications are discussed more fully in Annex 2.The new taxibus feeder service should encourage some people who currently drive to Lewknor to leave their car at home and reduce the level of unregulated parking that currently occurs around the bus stops at Lewknor. The site is inappropriate for development of a park & ride interchange. The Council’s current strategy is to pursue the provision of a strategic park & ride facility adjacent to Junction 5 of the M40 at Stokenchurch. The Council gave evidence to this effect at last year’s inquiry into the Wycombe District Local Plan. The Inspector’s report is expected to be published in September.

Financial Implications

12. These are detailed in the Project Appraisal at Annex 3.

Supplement - Summary of Informal Consultation

RECOMMENDATIONS

13. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to:

1. approve the Improvement Scheme shown on Drawing No BPS 087219/01/03 for implementation subject to its inclusion in a future capital programme:
2. authorise the promotion and implementation of a traffic regulation order incorporating the waiting and parking arrangements shown on Drawing No BPS 087219/02/01 subject to consideration by the Director of Environmental Services in consultation with the Executive Members for Transport and Strategic Planning & Waste Management, of any objections and representations received as a result of publication of the draft order; and
3. authorise the Director of Environmental Services, following consultation with the Executive Members for Transport and Strategic Planning & Waste Management and affected local members to invite appropriate tenders for the taxibus services.

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Contact Officers: Noel Newson Tel: Oxford 815894

Anthony Kirkwood Tel: Oxford 815704

August 2002

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