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ITEM TIC13

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE –
6 DECEMBER 2002

GEORGE STREET, OXFORD – EXPERIMENTAL TRAFFIC ORDERS

Report by Director of Environmental Services

1. Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO’s) were introduced in July 2001 following a review of the central area traffic management arrangements. The review was undertaken to address the delays bus operators were experiencing on this section of the bus priority route, and difficulties experienced by delivery vehicles in finding adequate kerbside space to undertake deliveries.
2. Two experiments were introduced. A prohibition on all motor vehicles entering George Street, from Worcester Street (north), and changes to the loading and waiting restrictions, along the whole length of George Street. The street notices for these changes are reproduced in Annex 1a (download as .doc file) and Annex 1b (download as .doc file), respectively.

Consultation

3. The consultation on any experimental TRO runs from the date of introduction of the experiment, up to a period of 18 months. During the whole period of consultation on the George Street experimental TRO’s only one letter of comment has been received, the response came from the Police, who expressed no objection.

Hackney Carriage Stand

4. The experimental changes to the loading and waiting restrictions were designed with a view to the removal of the Hackney Carriage stand located outside the Apollo Theatre. The provision of Hackney Carriage stands is a District function and the City Council were requested to undertake the necessary consultation for its removal.
5. There was some confusion as to the hours of operation of the stand during the initial consultation with the City of Oxford Licensed Taxicabs Association (COLTA). The result of this was that the formal process of removal was never undertaken, although the markings indicating the stand were removed.

Discussion

6. The prohibition on entry to George Street from Worcester Street (north) has improved safety at that junction. The changes to the loading and waiting restrictions in George Street have reduced congestion and assisted bus movements. I therefore consider that both these experiments should be confirmed and made permanent.
7. The City Council commissioned consultants to review the provision of Hackney Carriages in Oxford, their surveys have shown little use of the Hackney Carriage stand outside the Apollo Theatre during the day. A letter from COLTA (see Annex 2),(download as .doc file) in response to the initial consultation by the City Council on the possible removal of the stand, suggests that the stand is used in the evening and that it is used by Hackney Carriages when the stand at St George’s Place is full. The City Council survey data supports that view. I consider therefore that the City Council should be requested to undertake consultation with the intention of reducing the hours of operation of the stand so that it is not available for use until late evening. Experience since July of last year suggests that this would not affect the operation of the bus priority route in George Street.

RECOMMENDATIONS

8. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to:

1. agree that the experimental Traffic Orders outlined in Annex 1a and 1b be confirmed and made permanent; and
2. request that the City Council undertake the formal consultation in order to reduce the operating hours of the Hackney Carriage stand in George Street, as outlined in paragraph 7 of this report.

DAVID YOUNG
Director of Environmental Services

Contact Officer: John Cramer Tel: Oxford 815963

November 2002

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