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ITEM TIC3

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE –
8 JANUARY 2004

Minutes of the Meeting commencing at 10.00 am and finishing at 11.30 am

Present:

The Committee considered the matters, reports and recommendations contained or referred to in the agenda for the meeting, together with a schedule of addenda tabled at the meeting, and decided as set out below. Except insofar as otherwise specified, the reasons for the decisions are contained in the agenda, reports and schedule, copies of which are attached to the signed Minutes.

1/04. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 27 November 2003 were approved and signed.

2/04. PETITIONS AND PUBLIC ADDRESS

The following requests to address the meeting had been agreed:-

Request from	Agenda Item
Mr S. McGill	) ) 11 - Little Milton: Church Hill Pelican ) Crossing )
Mr A. Cameron

3/04. ORDER OF BUSINESS

RESOLVED: to take Item 11 immediately after Item 4.

4/04. LITTLE MILTON: CHURCH HILL PELICAN CROSSING

(Agenda Item 11)

The Committee considered a report (TIC11) which considered responses to a consultation on a revised location for a pelican crossing on the A329 Church Hill, Little Milton.

Councillor Purse declared a personal interest insofar as she was related to a member of staff at the school.

Mr McGill addressed the Committee on behalf of the Little Milton Parish Council, A329 Action Group, Age Concern and CPRE all of whom supported the proposal. The South Oxfordshire District Council and the local Member of Parliament had also expressed support. He urged the Committee to support the scheme, which would help improve road safety in the village.

Mr Cameron, a resident of Church Hill, agreed with the sentiment of making Little Milton safer but remained to be convinced that this was the best course of action and whether such a proposal was justified. A survey, which he had undertaken had indicated that there would be very limited use. He added that he had not been approached as part of the Parish Council’s collective consultation.

Councillor Turner advised that this scheme had been under consideration for some time and was urgently required.

Mr Collins confirmed that Mr Cameron had been included in the consultation carried out by the County Council.

Councillor Robertson referred to the apparent lack of consultation between Mr Cameron and the Parish Council and suggested that both parties meet without delay. In the meantime it was -

RESOLVED: to authorise the Executive Members for Transport and Strategic Planning & Waste Management to approve the relocation of the pelican crossing to the location shown in Annex 1 to the report TIC11 and implementation of the scheme in the light of consultations to be held between the Little Milton Parish Council and the resident of Church Hill Cottage

5/04. KIDLINGTON PREMIUM BUS ROUTE

(Agenda Item 5)

The Committee considered a report (TIC5) which set out the background to and progress on the Kidlington Premium Bus Route project.

The Committee noted the support expressed by the local member.

RESOLVED: to note the progress made on developing the Kidlington Premium Bus Route project and agree that detailed designs be produced for Yarnton Road/Oxford Road junction, linking signals along Oxford Road and for a nearside bus lane for part of the southbound approach to Kidlington roundabout, extending onto the roundabout itself.

6/04. KIDLINGTON: MORTON AVENUE/ALMOND AVENUE TRAFFIC CALMING

(Agenda Item 6)

The Committee considered a report (TIC6) which considered responses to a formal consultation on a traffic calming scheme in Morton Avenue/Almond Drive, Kidlington.

The Committee noted the support expressed by the local member.

Mr Warren advised that the Thames Valley Police had expressed a general concern regarding the illegal use of speed cushions by skateboarders.

RESOLVED: to approve the implementation of the scheme in 2004/05 with 65mm high speed cushions as shown on the drawing No BPN885/B3253B subject to available finance.

7/04. STEEPLE ASTON - DR RADCLIFFE’S SCHOOL – PROPOSED BETTER WAYS TO SCHOOL PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES

(Agenda Item 7)

In May 2003 the Committee had approved the completion of work at one site near the school with further consultation on three remaining sites. The Committee now considered (TIC7) the outcome of that consultation.

Mr Green advised that funding had been identified which would enable the scheme to proceed in 2003/2004.

RESOLVED: to authorise implementation of the scheme as detailed in the report TIC7 in 2003/04.

8/04. B4017 HENWOOD TRAFFIC CALMING

(Agenda Item 8)

The Committee considered a report (TIC8) which considered responses to a consultation on proposals for low cost traffic calming measures.

Mr Warren advised that funding had been identified which would enable the scheme to proceed in 2003/2004.

RESOLVED: to authorise implementation of the scheme in 2003/04 as shown at Annex 1 to the report TIC8.

9/04. WATLINGTON, SHIRBURN STREET - BETTER WAYS TO SCHOOL

(Agenda Item 9)

The Committee considered a report (TIC9) which considered responses received to a consultation for the provision of a zebra crossing outside No. 23, Shirburn Street, Watlington.

Councillor Belson expressed his support for the scheme and pressed for early implementation.

Officers were asked to investigate whether or not funding could be made available to enable the scheme to proceed in 2003/04.

RESOLVED: to approve the implementation of the zebra crossing as set out at Annex 1 to the report TIC9 (Drawing No BPN 8087221/2) subject to available finance.

10/04. EAST HAGBOURNE: MAIN ROAD – PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AND ROAD HUMP- BETTER WAYS TO SCHOOL PROGRAMME 2003/04

(Agenda Item 10)

The Committee considered a report (TIC10) which considered comments received on a consultation for the introduction of a raised Zebra crossing and speed hump.

Councillor Greene expressed his support for the scheme but his disappointment over delays in implementation, particularly in view of the recognised safety issues involved at this particular site.

Mr Collins advised that the Parish Council were fully supportive of the scheme but that some residents still had concerns regarding lighting. A minimum amount of lighting would be required in order to comply with safety levels but it was hoped that that could be achieved with minimal effect.

Councillor Robertson sympathised with the views expressed by Councillor Greene but felt that the costs involved could preclude bringing the scheme forward. However, he asked officers to investigate if construction could be brought forward earlier in 2004/05.

RESOLVED: to approve the implementation of the scheme as detailed on drawing BPN857/B325 subject to its inclusion in the 2004/05 Better Ways to School Programme and to available funding.

11/04. EAST OXFORD RESIDENTS’ PARKING SCHEME PROPOSED VARIATIONS TO TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER

(Agenda Item 12)

Oxford City Council, as local planning authority, had sought to remove entitlement to residents’ parking permits for certain properties from the residents’ parking scheme in East Oxford in connection with the grant of planning permission and in accordance with several planning agreements made over the past six years under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The reason for the agreements and planning conditions had been to ensure that new developments did not generate a level of vehicular parking which would be prejudicial to highway safety or contribute toward parking problems in the immediate locality. The Committee considered a report (TIC12) which set out the necessary variations required to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

RESOLVED: to agree implementation of proposed revisions to the East Oxford residents’ parking scheme as advertised with the exception of the proposed changes to the parking layout in Cherwell Street and that the East Oxford Traffic Regulation Order be varied accordingly to exclude all the properties from permit eligibility as advertised.

12/04. OXFORD CENTRAL AREA PROPOSED 20 MPH ZONE: FORMAL (PUBLIC) CONSULTATION

1. note the concerns expressed;
2. authorise the Director of Environment & Economy to introduce a 20 mph zone in Oxford’s central area as shown at Annex 2 to the report TIC13.

13/04. A40 OXFORD, HEADINGTON – GREEN ROAD ROUNDABOUT SHORT AND MEDIUM TERM IMPROVEMENTS

(Agenda Item 14)

The Committee considered a report (TIC14) which summarised the results of consultation on improvements to the Green Road roundabout and implementation of ‘early’ and ‘medium term’ measures.

In response to comments raised during discussion Mr Baird undertook to ensure that publicity was undertaken during work programmes in order to keep local residents informed and to maintain the positive support for the proposed improvements for the Green Road Roundabout and associated measures.

RESOLVED: to approve:

(a) the early measures for construction including making the necessary changes to the existing A420 London Road Bus Lane Order, and

(b) the medium term measures for construction;

subject in both cases to the availability of funding and the Director of Environment & Economy in consultation with the Executive Members for Transport and Strategic Planning & Waste Management being authorised to resolve any:

(i) objections resulting from the revised Bus Lane Order publication ;

(ii) comments, concerns and objections in relation to the pedestrian crossing consultation detailed in paragraph 6(ii) of the report TIC14.

14/04. ABINGDON, COLWELL DRIVE – CONVERSION OF FOOTWAY TO SHARED CYCLE/PEDESTRIAN USE

(Agenda Item 15)

The Committee considered a report (TIC15) which considered the results of a recent consultation into a proposal to convert an existing footway to shared cycle/pedestrian use.

The Committee noted the support expressed by the local member but her regret that no additional markings were to be provided.

Mr Wasley advised that the existing footway was not wide enough to provide a signed segregated track unless compulsory purchase powers were used to acquire an area of adjoining verge. The proposal as it stood formalised current use but would be monitored. If flows increased then consideration could be given to providing a segregated track.

RESOLVED: to:

1. approve the implementation of the shared use cycle track to allow completion of the Abingdon Circular Cycle Route, subject to the Executive Members for Transport and Strategic Planning & Waste Management agreeing any detailed amendments appearing necessary as a result of the safety audit of the proposals; and
2. authorise officers to implement the conversion of the length of footway required for implementation of the proposals described in the report TIC15 to shared use footway/cycle track under sections 66(4) and 65(1) of the Highways Act 1980.
   
   15/04. REVIEW OF OCVA RING-A-RIDE SERVICE

(Agenda Item 16)

The Committee considered a report (TIC16) together with a supplementary report which invited the Committee to consider future funding for the Ring-a-Ride services operated by the Oxfordshire Council for Voluntary Action (OCVA) for which funding arrangements were due to end on 31 March 2004.

Councillor Turner addressed a number of issues which included extending the Tuesday service to accept bookings in Great Milton, Little Milton and Great Haseley; the desirability of running this service on a different day to avoid the clash with the Tuesday service which was run in the same area by Age Concern and the lack of funding from South Oxfordshire District Council.

Mr Pope advised that financial regulations prevented award of a long-term funding agreement to OCVA. Discussions were being held with a view to forming a RAR funding partnership which would improve provision of service and could help persuade South Oxfordshire District Council to make funding available.

RESOLVED: to:

1. pay Oxfordshire Council for Voluntary Action (OCVA) up to £24,000 to secure the continuation of the present level of service on the City and County Ring-a-Ride (RAR) services until 31 July 2004;
2. confirm that a partnership of RAR funders should be established to co-ordinate the management of the RAR operation on behalf of the subscribing Councils, consolidate their funding and institute clearer monitoring procedures;
3. request that officers, in the light of various comments received from the consultation, investigate how information about the availability of the RAR service could best be improved; and
4. authorise officers to seek tenders from suitable operators for the future operation of the RAR services as from 1 August 2004 with the aim of making a recommendation to Committee on 6 May concerning a long-term contract for those services as from that date, but to agree, should the long-term future structure of the services not be finalised in time, that officers should negotiate a further short-term contract until 31 March 2005 in accordance with the County Council's Contract Procedure Rules.
   
   

16/04. EXEMPT ITEM

RESOLVED: that the public be excluded during the consideration of item 17E in the Agenda since it was likely that if they were present during that item there would be a disclosure of "exempt" information as described in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 and specified below the item in the Agenda, i.e. information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWING THE WITHDRAWAL OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

17/04. RIDGEWAY EXPLORER BUS SERVICE*

(Agenda Item 17E)

The Committee considered a report (TIC17E) which described the background to the operation of the "Ridgeway Explorer" bus service during the summer months between Swindon and Reading via points on the Ridgeway National Trail together with a supplementary report which set out the retendering exercise undertaken in respect of the Service and the outcome of discussions with Partner Authorities regarding future funding.

RESOLVED:

1. not to award contracts PT/V 72, PT/V 175 or PT/V 176 on the grounds of the high cost of tenders received, poor cost per passenger journey and the withdrawal of funding by other authorities putting a higher burden on Oxfordshire;
2. to continue Oxfordshire’s contribution to the Thames Path and Ridgeway Trail guides, subject to other funding partners also agreeing a proportional contribution.

in the Chair

Date of signing 2004

* The reports relating to the exempt items have not been made public and should be regarded as strictly private to those members and officers entitled to receive them.

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