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ITEM TIC13

TRANSPORT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE - 22 DECEMBER 2005

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (CURBRIDGE PARISH) (SPEED LIMIT) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 200*

Report by Head of Transport

1. This report considers comments received during a formal consultation on the speed limit proposals.
2. The proposed scheme will replace the existing 40mph limit (as shown on drawing No PW/185a) with a 30 mph speed limit which will include the provision of an extension of approximately 60 metres at the northern end and an extension of approximately 30 metres at the southern end.

Background

3. Curbridge village is located south west of Witney in the West Oxfordshire District Area. The main body of the village lies along roads forming two sides of a triangle which are covered by an existing 30mph speed limit, implemented by virtue of a system of street lights. There are however further residential properties, the busy Lord Kitchener Public House, a car sales showroom and playing fields which are away from the main body of the village and lie along the A4095 Bampton Road which forms part of the third side to the triangle at the northern end but also extends away from the village in a southerly direction.
4. The A4095 south west of Witney carries approximately 7800 vehicles per day and is covered currently by a 40 mph speed limit over a distance of approximately 500 metres. This particular limit was implemented in 2001 as part of the County Councils 30 mph village speed limit project, but at the time the decision was made to only reduce it to 40 mph.
5. There have been 11 recorded personal injury accidents in the previous 10 years along this particular stretch of road of which 4 can be attributed to excess speed and one involves a pedestrian.
6. Many concerns have been expressed by residents who live along this stretch of the village, both directly to the Northern Area office and via Curbridge Parish Council, and so site meetings have been held to discuss the options to try to slow the speed of traffic.
7. Currently gateway entrance features have been installed at the proposed terminal point of the limit, including stone built planters, coloured surfacing and road markings. Should the proposals be accepted by Committee it is also proposed to provide further measures within the extent of the limit to remind drivers of the limit.

Consultation

8. Consultation with the Parish Council and the local member was undertaken at an early stage including site visits with interested parties. Following these early discussions, draft proposals were forwarded to Curbridge Parish Council, for inclusion in the parish newsletter.
9. Formal consultation was undertaken by means of a public notice being published in the Witney Gazette on Wednesday 17 August 2005, with a consultation period of 28 days being allowed for written observations to be sent to the Area Office. The details were also sent to all the statutory consultees and copies of the public notices erected on site.
10. During the consultation period three letters were receive including one from Thames Valley Police who have raised no objection but highlighted one typographical error in the draft paperwork.
11. One further email was received after the 28 day period. A summary of all the comments received with officer comment is set out at Annex 1 (download as .doc file).
12. Full copies of the letters and emails received are available in the Members’ Resource Centre and form part of the background papers to this report.

Environmental Implications

13. The implementation of proposed speed restrictions for this stretch of the A4095 will have the effect of reducing the speed of traffic through this rural residential area. This in turn will have the effect of reducing noise and emissions from passing vehicles.
14. Linked with the other traffic management features (i.e. the gateway features etc) this stretch of road through Curbridge should be a safer and healthier area to reside in.
15. It will be necessary to erect a small number of repeater signs through the village as part of the required signage to make the limit enforceable, which may in time lead to carriageway roundels being placed to enhance the limit. This will be undertaken in full consultation with the Parish Council

Financial and Staff Implications

16. Introduction of the speed limit and other associated works is likely to cost approximately £7500 - £8000. This is to be funded by monies from the West Witney Development Section 106 pot which permits some funding to go towards calming scheme for the local surrounding villages that may be affected by the continuing development.
17. Much of the earlier consultation work has involved input in the form of officer time attending meetings.
18. The preparation of the draft Order has been carried out by officers employed in the Northern Area office as part of their normal duties.

Conclusions

19. The proposals as they stand have the full support of the local Parish Council, Local County Councillor (past and present), local residents and Thames Valley Police. The County Council are often criticised for implementing speed limits unnecessarily. However, this proposed speed limit and associated measures brings this residential stretch of road into a comparable position to other similar places already covered by a 30 mph speed limit.

RECOMMENDATION

20. The Committee are RECOMMENDED to approve the making of the draft Oxfordshire County Council)(Curbridge Parish)(Speed Limit) Order 200* subject to correction of the typographical error highlighted by Thames Valley Police in their response to the consultation.

STEVE HOWELL
Head of Transport

Background papers: Consultation documents and responses

Contact Officers: Paul Wilson Tel: 01865 844300

December 2005

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