ITEM CMDT3 CABINET MEMBER DECISIONS TRANSPORT– 29 MARCH 2007 RELOCATION OF PREMIUM ROUTE BUS STOP – HOWARD STREET Report by Head of Transport Introduction 1. At a Quality Bus Partnership Meeting with the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach on 21 March 2006 it was agreed that the 2006/2007 Premium Bus Routes improvements programme would focus on the upgrade of routes 10 and 15 within East Oxford. It was judged that these routes would benefit significantly from investment. 2. A meeting was held on 19 May 2006 between County Council officers and the bus company to discuss problem areas on route 10 (Oxford to JR Hospital via Cowley). Officers have carried out assessments on this route of: · Bus-stop distribution; · Bus-stop facilities; · Scope for real time passenger information; · Effect of junctions on bus journey times and scope for bus priority; and · Parking arrangements on the route. 3. Amongst other improvements, the assessment revealed a need to relocate a bus-stop near Howard Street. A site meeting to decide on an alternative location for this bus stop was held in January 2007 with representatives of Bus Companies, Thames Valley Police Traffic Management Team and Oxfordshire County Council’s Area Engineer in attendance. City and County Councillors were also invited. 4. Residents who may be affected by the relocation of this bus stop were asked for comments. 5. This report details the objections to the relocation of this bus stop and seeks a decision on whether to proceed with its relocation. Oxford Road/Howard Street Bus Stop 6. The plan at Annex A (download as .doc file) sets out the existing and proposed stop arrangements. 7. The need to consider relocating this bus stop has arisen for two reasons: (a) A parked bus blocks Cowley Road by preventing buses and other large vehicles from passing. A photograph showing the actions of other road users when a bus is stopped is shown at Annex B (download as .doc file). The inability of vehicles to pass is thought to be contributing significantly to the ‘bunching effect’ of buses along this corridor. (b) According to the Council’s own guidelines on bus stop distribution (contained within the ‘Bus Stop Infrastructure Design Guide’), the Howard Street stop is too close to the preceding stop and too far from the concentration of people living in the Howard Street area. The Council has received letters from Howard Street residents about this situation. 8. At a site meeting in January 2007 it was judged that the proposed new location would have the least impact on parking provision of the possible sites, resulting in no loss of parking spaces, and would improve traffic conditions along Oxford Road, especially for buses (Annex C) (download as .doc file). The proposed site brings the bus stop closer to Howard Street. 9. Objections to the relocation of the bus stop with an officer response are summarised at Annex D (download as .doc file). It is considered that none of the issues raised are of sufficient weight to justify not relocating the stop. How the proposals support LTP2 objectives 10. Relocating this bus stop ensures the flow of traffic, within which buses must operate, is not impeded by a poorly located bus stop. Facilities to improve the accessibility of bus services are also planned at this site. Thus, the relocation of this bus stop contributes towards the LTP2 objectives of ‘tackling congestion’ and ‘delivering accessibility’. Financial and Staff Implications 11. The cost of moving the Oxford Road/Howard Street stop, including new flag and pole, clearway markings, raised kerb, removal of existing infrastructure and reinstatement of parking bays, is approximately £2,000 to be funded as part of the LTP2 capital programme for improvements to Premium Bus Routes. 12.
Work will be undertaken
within existing staff resources. RECOMMENDATION 13. The Cabinet Member for Transport is RECOMMENDED to approve relocation of the existing Howard Street bus stop to the proposed new location on the plan shown at Annex A (download as .doc file) to this report. STEVE HOWELL Background papers: Oxfordshire County Council Bus Stop Infrastructure Design Guide 2006 Contact Officer: Dan Metcalfe. Tel – 01865 815683 March 2007
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