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Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Transport

15 February 2007

Statement of Decision

Oxford, George Street/Cornmarket Street – Review Of Traffic Signals

Present:

Also in attendance: 

Documentation considered:

A copy is attached to the signed copy of this decision.

Summary of representations in person

Rosamund Weatherall speaking on behalf of the Chair of the Oxford Pedestrians Association reiterated the Association’s view that the lights were largely disregarded by the majority of users and therefore inappropriate. The Association’s view was that the space should be redesigned to reflect its principle function as a pedestrian area through which a small number of vehicles passed through.

Councillor Goddard advised that the lights were disregarded by the majority of users and considered an irrelevant nuisance, which impeded movement.  This general disregard had undermined respect for safety and as they had not made any perceived contribution to road safety he called for their removal.

Councillor Armitage also questioned the significance of the accident data in Annex 1a to the report.  There had been few serious incidents and it was debatable whether the lights had contributed to road safety.  Pedestrian flows at the lights indicated that they were largely ignored and he called for consideration to be given to installing a pelican

crossing with a left turn ban on bikes into Magdalen Road.  The majority of responses clearly supported removal.

Councillor Fooks (City Member for Transport) agreed that accident data did not support retention of the lights and that accidents, which could have been prevented by the lights, had not significantly reduced.  She supported calls for a pelican crossing.

Councillor Roaf endorsed the view that the lights were largely disregarded by a majority of pedestrians and believed that traffic had flowed more easily before the lights were installed. He supported calls for removal and replacement with a pelican crossing.

Councillor Robertson advised that Councillor Dhall had also expressed her support for removal of the lights.  He had also received a letter from an Oxfordshire resident who considered the lights necessary for the safe passage of pedestrians and supported retention. 

 Mr Cramer agreed that accident figures had been low both before and after installation of the lights and that the number of pedestrians ignoring the lights was high.  However, prior to installation it had been difficult to cross the road in one movement, particularly for the elderly and parents with pushchairs and the lights now provided an opportunity to do so.  Only the Oxford Bus Company had responded to the consultation and they had not called for removal of the lights.  Although a pelican crossing was feasible on the existing line it would be difficult to accommodate cyclists and consideration would also have to be given to returning to original pavement widths, which would have funding issues.

Cabinet Member’s Comments

Councillor Robertson was mindful of the body of opposition to retaining the lights but there were also  groups who had lobbied in support of the lights (some on behalf of disadvantaged groups such as the County Council’s Sensory Impairment Team) and their requirements would need to be taken into account.  Also he was reluctant to make a major decision on this issue until the effects of the implementation of bus lane camera enforcement and further work on low emission zones had been gauged.

Decision

Having regard to the arguments and options set out in the documentation before me, the representations made to me and the further considerations set out above, I confirm my decisions on this matter as follows:

(a)       to retain the traffic signal control at the George Street/Cornmarket Street junction and ask officers to continue to monitor the safety record at the junction;

(b)       to review provision of traffic signals at the junction of George Street/Cornmarket Street in one years time taking into account the implementation of bus lane camera enforcement and further work on the low emission zone to improve air quality.

Signed ......................................................................

            Cabinet Member for Transport

Date ………………………2007

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