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ITEM CMDT3
CABINET
MEMBER FOR TRANSPORT – 4 JANUARY 2007
COWLEY ROAD,
OXFORD – TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER AMENDMENTS TO WAITING AND PARKING
Report by
Head of Transport
Introduction
- Funding for changes
to Cowley Road was secured through the Department for Transport Mixed
Priority Routes Demonstration Project programme. The implementation
of the scheme, after extensive consultation, commenced in April and
was substantially completed at the end of October 2005.
- The implemented
scheme changed the position of a number of bus stops and these were
discussed at an early stage with the Managing Directors of the two major
bus operators, Oxford Bus and Stagecoach Oxford and agreement reached
on the changes. During implementation of the changes, and subsequent
to the completion of the scheme, it became clear that the revised bus
stop locations were creating operational problems. It was agreed that
the bus stop arrangements would be reviewed as part of a general review
of the revised waiting and parking arrangements over its first year
of operation.
- This report considers
the response to a consultation on proposals to amend the waiting and
parking arrangements on Cowley Road. Included in the consultation are
minor amendments to restrictions in some side roads to address other
issues that have been raised over the past year.
Consultation
- The amendments
included in the consultation are set out at Annex
1 and a plan showing the proposed physical
changes will be on display at the meeting. The consultation commenced
on 10 November and continued until 1 December. The proposals were published
in the Oxford Times and street notices erected in the vicinity of the
proposed changes. Also letters were sent to residents and businesses
in the vicinity of the proposed changes and to statutory consultees
and interest groups outlining the changes.
- Three letters
of comment have been received and these are detailed at Annex
2 together with officer comment. Copies of
the letters are available in the Members’ Resource Centre together with
a copy of the plan showing the proposed changes and Street Notice. Of
the comments received one supports specific elements of the proposals,
one raises issues on behalf of third parties and one objects to a specific
element of the proposals.
- The objection
relates to the proposed provision of a residents’ parking bay in Dawson
Street, which has been proposed in response to comments received when
the current restrictions in Cowley Road were consulted on in November
2004. Just prior to the commencement of the present consultation the
City Council granted planning consent to create a public square at the
Cowley Road end of Dawson Street. This will be subject to the agreement
of the County Council, as Highway Authority, and will require amendments
to the Traffic Regulation Order. These amendments would be required
regardless of the proposal currently being considered. It is suggested
that if and when proposals for the public square proceed that all the
restrictions in Dawson Street are reviewed so that at least the present
level of parking provision can be provided.
- The minutes of
the meeting held by Bus Users UK do not reflect the comments that have
been made by the bus operators over the past fifteen months to officers.
No response has been received to the consultation from the bus operators
to verify whether or not their views have now changed. Clarification
is being sought from the bus operators as to their position on relocating
the bus stop at Bullingdon Road to near James Street and these will
be reported at the meeting.
Officer Comment
- A number of the
changes proposed on Cowley Road are related to the relocation of the
bus stop at Bullingdon Road to near James Street. If the bus operators
confirm that they do not support this change then the proposals items
(b), (c) and (d) in Annex 1 will
need to be excluded from the proposals.
- The proposal for
Dawson Street does have a conflict with the proposed establishment of
a public square. However it is recommended that the residents’ parking
bay is provided but that all the restrictions in Dawson Street are reviewed
if and when the public square is introduced.
How the project supports
LTP Objectives
- The proposed amendments
to the waiting and parking restrictions will improve the functionality
of the scheme introduced in 2005 and help tackle localised congestion
on the route.
Financial and Staff Implications
- The proposed amendments
are estimated at £10,000, which will be fully funded from the LTP programme.
There are no staffing implications.
RECOMMENDATION
- The Cabinet
Member for Transport is RECOMMENDED to approve implementation of the
advertised proposals as set out at Annex 1to this report subject to
any comments which might be received from bus operators.
STEVE
HOWELL
Head of Transport
Background
papers: Consultation documentation
Contact
Officer: John Cramer, Telephone: 01865 815963
December
2006
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