Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2012/080

Contact: Daniel Round, Strategic Policy Manager Tel: (01865) 815623

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy (Strategy & Infrastructure Planning) (CMDDL4).

The Deputy Leader considered (CMDDL4) proposals to improve access to Bicester town centre for all modes of transport.

Mr Grace who had particular concerns regarding Queens Avenue considered the proposals would only serve to increase speeds and volume of traffic thereby increasing NO2 emissions in that area, which already exceeded annual mean levels set under the Environmental Act 1995.  There were also additional threats to Queens Avenue, particularly to the natural spring in a private garden fronting the Avenue and to several mature trees and green verge, which were at risk with no agreed replacement plan.  He called for a full EIA to be carried out and suggested traffic calming measures could be used to prevent traffic.

Mr Cantelli’s main objection related to North Street. North Street was wide  with parking on either side with mixed use and not just residential and he felt the report did not accurately reflect that.  The proposals would radically change its character and all businesses in North street had been opposed to the change.  He considered the proposals for North Street would not alleviate traffic problems but could, perversely, have the opposite effect to what it was hoped to achieve and therefore the status quo should be preserved. 

Councillor Michael Waine accepted that the scheme would inevitably affect the long standing habits of many people but he was broadly in favour. The scheme had the potential to address real problems, particularly on Buckingham Road and had been introduced to improve traffic flow and create a better environment in Bicester and not just, as some had perceived, to alleviate weekend congestion emanating from visitors to the Bicester Village retail outlet. He did, however, have some concerns regarding the right turn out of Bucknell Road  and suggested that that should be reviewed in 12 months.

Councillor Charles Shouler also broadly supported the scheme which was the first major review in Bicester since 1991. Changes to the 5 arm roundabout would promote significant benefits for Buckingham Road, access to the multi storey car park would be improved and replacement of the lights in St John’s Street was a key element.  Changes to North Street would benefit residents many of whom had praised the scheme and although there might be some detrimental effect to businesses he felt that that would not prove to be as bad as some had feared.  He supported a 12 month review of the right turn out of Bucknell Road.

Mr Round confirmed that it was a District Council responsibility to declare air quality management areas and in this case Cherwell District Council had chosen not to do so.  However, by reducing the stop start nature of traffic and improving traffic flow in the Queens Avenue area it was hoped that air quality levels would improve. Monitoring was currently carried out and county officers would continue to work closely with Cherwell District Council. With regard to concerns regarding retention of the character of Queens Avenue itself he advised that if this stage of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16