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ITEM TIC12

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – 6 DECEMBER 2002

BOTLEY ROAD CORRIDOR STUDY

Report by the Director of Environmental Services

Introduction

  1. This report sets out the results of the public consultation carried out in September 2002 on improvements to pedestrian and cycles facilities in Botley Road, Oxford. In view of the significant support for the proposed measures the report recommends the scheme should be implemented.

    2. Background

  2. Officers have been working with the Oxford Pedestrian Association on the introduction of the core pedestrian route networks, which is in line with the Oxfordshire’s Local Transport Plan commitment for each of the county’s towns. As a result of this work Oxford Pedestrian Association selected two priority routes in the city that they wish to be developed first. These are the Botley Road corridor and a route through the Jericho area. This report deals with the Botley Road proposals.

  3. Our engineering consultants, Babtie Group, were commissioned to improve existing pedestrian and cyclist facilities along the Botley Road corridor. The existing provisions were implemented in 1996 as part of the Botley Road Improvement Scheme. Since then, there has been some criticism of the facilities and especially the conflict between pedestrians, cyclists and, at junctions, vehicular traffic.

  4. The result of Babtie’s work is a range of proposals that corresponds with the County Council’s current design guidelines. These are:

    • Rationalising the existing segregated pedestrian footway/cycle track so that the footway is furthest away from the carriageway.

    • Improved paving and tactile surfaces.

    • Introducing entry treatments on some side roads.

    • Introducing a new pedestrian refuge.

    • Improved signing and lighting of cycle lanes.

  1. A reduced scale plan (drawing No BPN751/F4500) is at Annex 1. (download as .doc file) A larger scale version is in the Members’ Resource Centre with the background papers.

    2. Consultation

  2. A public consultation was held over a four-week period between 2 to 27 September 2002 with letters sent to all residents and businesses on Botley Road and all adjoining side streets along the study corridor.

  3. Fourteen letters and e-mails of comment were received - eleven in support and three objecting.

  4. Officers have taken all responses into consideration. A summary of the responses to the consultation is given in Annex 2 to this report. A complete list of the comments received, together with a copy of the letters is included in the background papers in the Members’ Resource Centre.

    5. Conclusion

  5. In view of the significant support towards the proposed measures, the small number of objections and the overall improvement to the current provisions, I consider that the scheme should be implemented.

    6. Environmental Implications

  6. The proposed improvements to Botley Road will improve road safety and help to create conditions that will encourage more sustainable travel to and from Oxford city centre.

    7. Financial and Staff Implications

  7. The 2002/03 capital programme budget allocation for the scheme is £40,000. However the current estimate of the scheme is £87,000. An allocation from the Pedestrian and Cycle Improvements 2002/03 Oxford Transport Strategy budget will make up the difference. The work can be accommodated within existing staff resources.

    8. RECOMMENDATION

  8. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to approve the implementation of the changes to the Botley Road pedestrian and cycleway facilities as described in the report and shown in Annex 1. (download as .doc file)

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Background papers: Summary of comments received is in the Members’ Resource Centre

Contact Officers: Andrew Vidovic Tel: Oxford 810437, Ben Fryer Tel: Oxford 810451, James Gagg Tel: Oxford 815655

November 2002

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