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Division(s): Witney South

ITEM TIC19

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE –
4 MARCH 2004

WITNEY – CYCLE IMPROVEMENTS

Report by Head of Transport

Introduction

  1. This report considers comments received in response to a formal consultation on the proposals to introduce the following cycle improvement schemes in the Witney area:

    • Ducklington Lane cycleway
    • Thorney Leys cycleway

  1. Authority is sought to design and implement the schemes in 2004/05 as part of the Witney Cycling Strategy.

    2. Background

  2. The Ducklington Lane and Thorney Leys cycleway schemes have been approved by the Joint Members’ Steering Group for inclusion in the proposed 2004/05 Capital Programme as part of the Witney Integrated Transport Strategy (WITS).

  3. The aims of the schemes are to link the residential areas of north and west Witney to the employment area along Station Lane and the Town Centre. The routes will provide high quality cycle facilities where none currently exist. Together with the existing cycleways the proposed schemes will contribute to a comprehensive cycle network throughout Witney.

  4. The proposed routes are illustrated at Annex 1 (download as .doc file). The individual schemes are illustrated in further detail at Annexes 2 and 3 (large-scale drawings will be available at the meeting). Scheme descriptions are as follows:

    5. Thorney Leys Cycleway (Annex 2) (download as .doc file)

  5. For the Thorney Leys route, it is proposed to widen the existing footway from the Station Lane signalised junction through Burwell Fields recreational ground, to provide a 3m wide segregated off-carriageway facility. It will continue through the Thorney Leys estate as a signed advisory on-carriageway facility, and will connect into the Deer Park estate via the existing Toucan crossing on Curbridge Road (implemented as part of the Integrated Transport Strategy [ITS] in 2002/03).

  6. As with the Ducklington Lane scheme, the route will connect into the existing facility on Station Lane.

    7. Ducklington Lane Cycleway ( Annex 3)

  7. There are no existing pedestrian facilities along the majority of Ducklington Lane. It is therefore proposed to implement a 2m wide un-segregated shared use facility along the east side of Ducklington Lane. This will connect into Corn Street at its northern end where it is proposed to introduce a traffic island in order to provide a safe crossing location.

  8. The cycleway/footway will connect into the existing subway under Ducklington Lane, providing a route into the Ducklington Lane/Burwell estate. It is also proposed to convert the existing Pelican crossing adjacent to the service area near Station Lane, to a Toucan crossing. This will provide a continuous route for cyclists accessing Colwell Drive/Thorney Leys.

  9. Future proposals of the ITS include cycle improvements to the Tower Hill roundabout and a route along Corn Street from Ducklington Lane, linking into the Town Centre. A scheme to link Ducklington Lane to Henry Box school is also proposed as part of the ITS (programmed for construction during 2004/05 subject to approval and funding).

    10. Formal Consultation

  10. For both schemes, consultation was undertaken with County Councillors, West Oxfordshire District Council, Witney Town Council, emergency services and other relevant bodies. Statutory notices were erected along the length of the proposed cycle/footpaths. The schemes were also ‘walked and talked’ with local councillors and members of Witney’s Traffic Advisory committee, who offered their support for the schemes.

  11. There has been no formal response to the Ducklington Lane and Thorney Leys schemes. Thames Valley Police in an informal response expressed no concerns.

    12. Officer Comments

  12. The proposed schemes have been designed using the guidelines set down in the Oxfordshire Local Transport Plan (LTP). The LTP cycle strategy states that cycle facilities should generally be provided ‘on-carriageway’, except on roads with high volumes of fast moving traffic (over 40mph). Ducklington Lane and Thorney Leys are subject to 40 mph speed limits, and the schemes have been designed, where possible, as off-carriageway facilities.

    13. Proposed Programme

  13. The current programme for construction of the two schemes is:

    • Ducklington Lane Cycleway – June 2004.

    • Thorney Leys Cycleway – August 2004.

Financial and Staff Implications

  1. Ducklington Lane – The design and construction cost of the scheme is estimated at £155,000, which will be funded from developer contributions.

  2. Thorney Leys – The design and construction of this scheme is estimated at £170,000, and will be subject to a bid for funds from Single Capital Pot settlement for 2004/05 financial year.

  3. The staffing implications can be met from existing resources.

    4. RECOMMENDATIONS

  4. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to authorise:

          1. officers’ to proceed with the detailed design and implementation of the schemes as described in this report, subject in the case of Thorney Leys to funding being available; and

          2. to authorise the Head of Transport to resolve any concerns or comments resulting from the detailed design and safety audit, in consultation with the Executive Members for Transport and Sustainable Development.

DAVID McKIBBIN
Head of Transport

Background Papers: Nil

Contact Officer: Jon Winstanley Tel 01865 815070

26 February 2004

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