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Division(s): St Clements, Oxford East, Temple Cowley

ITEM EX12

 

DETAILED PROJECT APPRAISAL APPRAISAL NO. H 174

NAME OF SCHEME: Department for Transport/Oxfordshire County Council

Cowley Road Mixed Priority Routes Demonstration Project

START YEAR: 2004/05

BASIS OF ESTIMATE: OCC Preliminary Design Scheme Estimate

  1. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The proposed works cover the 1.1km length of the B480 Cowley Road, Oxford between its junctions with The Plain roundabout and Magdalen Road. The proposed works comprise the following components:

    • A 20mph speed limit between Temple Street and Leopold Street

    • Alterations to the kerblines to include build outs to create protected parking and loading bays, footway widening (at selected pedestrian crossing points and at three areas where wider environmental enhancements are planned)

    • Alterations to waiting restrictions

    • Alterations to the existing controlled and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings

    • Alterations to the location of bus stops

    • Additional measures to enhance cycle safety (including cycle lanes outside the length of the proposed 20mph limit)

    • Additional measures to encourage lower traffic speeds (including speed activated signs)

    • Additional measures to facilitate a bus premium route and

    • Additional measures to enhance the built environment

A plan showing the details of the scheme will be on display at the meeting.

  1. NEED FOR THE PROJECT

    2. The proposed scheme aims to reduce the high number of injury accidents on this length of road (total 101 in 5 years to March 2004). It also seeks to address traffic congestion problems (in particular delays to the high frequency bus services).

    The scheme was submitted and accepted by the Department for Transport for funding from their programme of road safety demonstration projects for mixed priority routes.

  2. CONSISTENCY WITH SERVICE STRATEGY

    3. The scheme is consistent with OCC strategies to reduce road injuries and improve the overall transport function – particularly in relation to sustainable transport users, on this important radial route in Oxford. Cowley Road is consistently mentioned by bus operators as a source of delay despite having the permanent presence of parking attendants for the enforcement of traffic regulations. It is identified as key in the Premium Route Strategy.

  3. ANALYSIS OF ALL REALISTIC OPTIONS

    4. The development of the scheme has been the subject of extensive study, including very wide ranging consultations with the local community (including the businesses) and the bus operators and emergency services. The range of possible options has proved to be quite severely constrained by the character of the road itself (and surrounding road network). Nonetheless, two sets of options were identified – firstly for the overall principles of the scheme, and then for details within the chosen concept. The options have been assessed against a set of criteria which includes the objectives of the Mixed Priority Routes Demonstration Project as well as local objectives and constraints.

  4. JUSTIFICATION OF THE PREFERRED OPTION

The preferred option meets the key objectives set for the scheme and, most importantly, has grown from ideas contributed locally in wide ranging consultations. The key objectives are:

    • To reduce the number and severity of accidents

- reducing speed, 20mph limit and calming features

- improving visibility by reducing parking at sensitive locations, e.g junctions

- creating a straighter route for cyclists, and reducing danger from parked cars

    • To improve the quality of life for the users of the Cowley Road by creating a safe, secure and pleasant environment

    • by reducing accidents and speed as described above

    • by introducing higher quality materials and more pedestrian space

    • To maintain and enhance the economic vitality of the Cowley Road and to consider the requirements of all users

    • retaining sufficient loading space for businesses

    • retaining parking for customers

    • improve the environmental quality with better quality materials and urban design input

    • To improve accessibility to and reliability of public transport services

    • reducing the congestion and therefore improving reliability for public transport

    • improving facilities at bus stops to aid mobility impaired

    • To reduce traffic queues on the Cowley Road and improve reliability of journey times

    • by moving ‘pinch points’ in the carriageway from key locations in conjunction with managing parking and loading activity, in particular addressing parking which currently blocks the whole road at times.

Initial observations from the consultations show that there is strong community support, with 75% of respondents broadly supportive of or very happy with the preferred scheme and just 4% opposed.

  1. IDENTIFICATION OF FUNDING AND STAFF IMPLICATIONS

A grant of £1,000,000 for scheme development and implementation has been awarded by the Department for Transport. The scheme is included in the Tranbspoprt Capital Programme extenbding over 2 years, starting in 2004/05.

Some additional funding will be required to implement all the elements of the proposed scheme and to allow for contingencies. Recognising the benefits of the scheme for Casualty Reduction and Sustainable Transport, it is proposed that this funding should be allocated from the Transport Capital Programme and receipts from relevant S106 planning agreements as follows:

    • Transport Capital Programme 2005/06 £250,000

    • S106 monies £50,000

This is reflected in the appended Resource Appraisal (download as .doc file) but is subject to confirmation in the October 2004 review of the Transport Capital Programme.

The development of the scheme has necessitated a significant commitment of staff time to the project which has been met by existing staff resources.

  1. FINANCIAL, STAFF AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

Although the main focus of the scheme is to improve safety, the maintenance and improvement of conditions for users of sustainable transport is also a major objective. The appearance of the street and other effects of traffic on the immediate area will be improved by the preferred scheme.

DAVID McKIBBIN
Head of Transport

CHRIS GRAY
Head of Finance

Contact Officers:
Samantha Tharme Tel: 01865 810443
Amrik Manku Tel: 01865 815921

May 2004

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