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ITEM TIC10

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – 29 MAY 2003

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (DARK LANE AND MOOR AVENUE WITNEY) (PROHIBITION OF MOTOR VEHICLES) ORDER 200*

Report by Assistant Director (Transport Development)

Introduction

  1. This report considers comments received during the formal consultation on the traffic management proposals for Moor Avenue and Dark Lane, Witney.

    2. Background

  2. On 27 February the Transport Implementation Committee considered a report which detailed the results of an informal consultation exercise on traffic management proposals in Moor Avenue and measures in Dark Lane associated with the construction of the new West End Link Road and resolved to:

    1. approve Option 2 as the preferred traffic management scheme for Moor Avenue, Moorland Road and Dark Lane, and therefore;

    2. proceed, following further detailed consultation with local residents directly affected by the closure, with the advertisement of a Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit driving in Dark Lane with exemptions for cyclists at the eastern side of the access to the Moorland Training Centre; and

    3. proceed with the formal advertisement of an appropriate Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit driving in Moor Avenue with exemptions for buses and cyclists at its junction with Moorland Road.

    Formal Consultation

  3. Following the meeting on 27 February letters were sent to residents of Dark Lane in the immediate vicinity of the proposed closure and as a result of comments received the proposed position of the Dark Lane closure has been moved approximately 10m east.

  4. The new location of the closure is shown at Annex 1 (download as .doc file).

  5. The formal consultation for the proposals took place during March and April 2003. As part of the consultation a letter was sent to all residents of Moor Avenue, Moorland Road and Dark Lane, along with a copy of the draft order and a drawing illustrating the proposed location of the closure. A copy of the formal consultation documents, including the draft order is attached at Annex 2 (download as .doc file)..

  6. A public notice appeared in the Witney Gazette on 27 March 2003 with street notices erected at strategic points throughout Moor Avenue and Dark Lane.

  7. In total 2 letters of objection and 2 letters commenting on the proposals were received. 19 residents of Dark Lane signed one of the letters of objection. The objections are discussed in paragraphs 9 to 15 and a summary of comments received, along with an officer’s response is set out at Annex 3 (download as .doc file). Original copies of the objection letters are on deposited in the Member’s Resource Centre.

  8. 19 elderly residents of the western end of Dark Lane have objected to the closure of Moor Avenue. The elderly residents (some of whom are disabled) are reliant on taxi services for journeys when laden with heavy shopping. If the proposed scheme were implemented taxis would have to access the western end of Dark Lane from Burford Road, involving a longer journey with increased fares.

  9. If Moor Avenue were closed at its junction with Moorland Road, the additional distance on a typical journey from the town centre to the Western end of Dark Lane would be approximately 450m. Discussions with West Oxfordshire District Council’s Taxi Licensing Officer have revealed that this would constitute an additional 45p (15p per 150m).

  10. This resulting increase in fare is unfortunate, although the nature of the taxi journeys (when laden with heavy shopping) would indicate that this additional expense would probably be weekly rather than daily. The County Council is committed to provide a subsidised (‘Hail and Ride’) local bus service along Moor Avenue that serves the town centre which could offer a possible alternative to the taxi.

  11. It is not considered feasible at present to allow access for taxis through the proposed bus gate in Moor Avenue, as the design would have to be modified to allow access for all vehicular traffic and enforcement of the closure would therefore be difficult. However officers are investigating a possibility of introducing bus lane camera enforcement measures in areas outside Oxford. This may allow the Order to be amended, sometime in the future, and let taxis pass through this restriction point.

  12. The other objection was received from a resident of Moor Avenue who responded to the previous informal consultation. The resident is concerned that the new West End Link Road will increase traffic on Welch Way and that motorists avoiding queues at the new Welch Way/West End Link signalised junction will use Moorland Road and the Community Hospital car park as an alternative route.

  13. It is considered that queues along Welch Way would not be severe enough to encourage motorists to use this route as an alternative. In the unlikely event of this becoming a problem following implementation, preventative action could be taken in consultation with the Community Hospital.

  14. This resident is also concerned that the closure of Moor Avenue should not be implemented until the new West End Link Road has been constructed. This comment has been considered previously, and it is proposed that Moor Avenue be closed immediately following the opening of the new road.

  15. A positive (verbal) response to the proposals has been received from Thames Valley Police and from Stagecoach who operate the bus service along Moor Avenue.

    16. Conclusions

  16. Although there has been a good response to previous informal consultations the response to this formal consultation is rather low which could indicate that the majority of residents affected by the proposals feel that the proposed measures are necessary to prevent ‘rat running’ through the area.

  17. Although the closures may cause some slight inconvenience and longer journeys for some residents, it is considered that the virtual elimination of through traffic in the Moor Avenue/Dark Lane area will provide environmental benefits for the great majority of local residents.

    18. Programme

  18. The implementation of the road closures will be programmed to coincide with the anticipated completion of the West End Link Road in June 2004.

    19. Environmental Implications

  19. Closing Moor Avenue and Dark Lane will create a safer environment for the residents of Dark Lane, Moor Avenue and Moorland Road by reducing through traffic. It may also have the effect of reducing pollution.

    20. Financial and Staff Implications

  20. The works associated with the implementation of the traffic management measures will be covered by a developer contribution of £50,000 received from the construction of the West End Link towards off site measures. Any additional funding if required will be included in the 2004/05 Capital Programme.

    21. RECOMMENDATIONS

  21. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to approve the making of the Order as set out in Annex 2 subject to the construction of the West End Link Project.

EDDIE LUCK
Assistant Director (Transport Development)

Background papers:

Contact Officer: Jon Winstanley Tel: Oxford 815070

May 2003

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