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Division(s): Abingdon North, East and West

ITEM TIC12

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE –
7 JULY 2005

ABINGDON INTEGRATED TRANSPORT STRATEGY TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENTS – TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER

Report by Interim Head of Transport

Introduction

  1. This report details the results of public consultation on two Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and seeks approval for implementation. The Orders concerned were for the revocation of one way traffic on Stratton Way and prohibition of right turns onto Stratton Way from Bath Street and vice versa. Reduced scale plans showing these proposals are attached at Annex 1 (download as .doc file) and Annex 2 (download as .doc file).

  2. The scheme is to be implemented over three financial years with Phase 1, which includes the making of these TRO’s, commencing autumn 2005. The aim of the scheme is to regulate the number and speed of vehicles passing through Abingdon Town Centre in order to improve the environment and make it a more attractive place for shoppers, visitors and businesses.

    3. Background

  3. Oxfordshire County Council adopted an Integrated Transport Strategy for Abingdon on 27 June 2001. The County’s term design consultant Jacobs Babtie were commissioned to progress the design of the town centre scheme leading to a public exhibition in July 2004.

  4. Results of the exhibition were reported to the Executive in November 2004 who endorsed the scheme. Detailed design has identified the need for a number of TRO’s with respect to implementation of Phase 1 of the works.

    5. Consultation

  5. Public consultation on the TRO’s was undertaken between 3 May 2005 and 3 June 2005.

  6. Consultation was carried out with emergency services, members of the AbITS Working and Steering Groups, local County Councillors, Vale of White Horse District Council, Abingdon Town Council, road user groups, residents and businesses.

  7. Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Abingdon Town Council have confirmed that they have no adverse comments with respect to the making of the Orders and the AbITS Working and Steering Group members have raised no objections.

  8. Three letters of observation have been received from residents and businesses in the vicinity of Stratton Way. One objected to the proposals with concerns that the scheme would prohibit right turns into and out of their business premises. One requested consideration be given to improved pedestrian facilities at the Bath Street/Stratton Way junction to ease access to the new bus stop facility and the other expressed noise nuisance concerns with respect to ‘bleepers’ at the traffic signal junction of Stratton Way with the Vineyard.

  9. A summary of responses, along with officer comments is set out at Annex 3 (download as .doc file) to this report.

    10. Officer Comments

  10. Right turn movements into and out of Bath Street are the only ones to be prohibited. There are no proposals to ban any movements from/to premises off Stratton Way. These particular premises currently have a large traffic island in the access that would make right turns difficult. The design is being amended to reshape the island to accommodate right turn movements of smaller vehicles whilst larger delivery vehicles will need to be encouraged to continue to use Stert Street and High Street as they do at present.

  11. A traffic island at the Bath Street/Stratton Way junction is included within the scheme. This will provide a safer crossing point for pedestrians to the new bus stop facility.

  12. The traffic signals at the Stratton Way/Vineyard junction are to regulate the flow of traffic and will not include pedestrian phases. Therefore no ‘bleepers’ are proposed at this entry.

    13. Financial and Staff Implications

  13. Implementation of the scheme is to be financed from 2005/06 Capital Programme approved allocation of £494,000.

  14. Construction supervision will be carried out by the County Council’s consultant Jacobs Babtie with project management by County officers. The County Council’s Legal Services will prepare the TROs.

    15. RECOMMENDATIONS

  15. The Committee is RECOMMENDED to authorise the making of Traffic Regulation Orders:

          1. revoking the Stratton Way one-way Order; and

          2. prohibiting right turns into and out of Bath Street at its junction with Stratton Way.

RICHARD DIX
Interim Head of Transport

Background papers: Consultation documentation and responses received

Contact Officer: Andy Warren Tel: Oxford 815835

June 2005

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