Return to Agenda

Division(s): Oxford North

ITEM TIC10

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – 4 MARCH 2004

OBSERVATORY STREET, OXFORD – PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING

Report by Head of Transport

Introduction

  1. Observatory Street is one of many roads providing a link between Woodstock Road and Walton Street, but is the only road with no form of traffic calming to deter use by extraneous traffic. Following representations from residents the provision of measures in Observatory Street to help deter use by such traffic and reduce vehicle speeds was included in the 2003/04 Capital Programme. However, due to extended consultation it has not been possible to progress the scheme for implementation this financial year.

  2. A site meeting was held with City and County Councillors and residents’ representatives to discuss possible options. These were reviewed and during late August and September 2003 an informal consultation was held with residents of the street and the immediate vicinity. Consultation was by letter and covered Observatory Street, Adelaide Street and properties in the immediate vicinity of these streets in Walton Street and Woodstock Road. The Options consulted on are described at Annex 1 (download as .rtf file) together with the overall responses.

  3. A modified scheme which took account of comments received during the informal consultation was then produced which included speed cushions with narrowings, consequential changes to the parking layout and a weight restriction on Observatory Street and Adelaide Street. That scheme is shown at Annex 2 (download as .doc file).

    4. Consultation

  4. Formal consultation on the modified scheme was undertaken between 9 and 30 January and included the same number and area of consultees as during the informal stage. Only two comments were received and these are shown at Annex 3 together with officer comments. One response expressed outright support the other support with reservations.

    5. Financial Implications

  5. The scheme has now been included in the draft Capital Programme for 2004/05 and subject to the budget provision being agreed the scheme can proceed to implementation.

    6. RECOMMENDATIONS

  6. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to approve the implementation of the proposals outlined in paragraph 3 and Annex 2 to this report, subject to available finance.

DAVID McKIBBIN
HEAD OF TRANSPORT

Background papers:

Contact Officer: John Cramer Tel: Oxford 815963

February 2004

Return to TOP