Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/016

Contact: Jim Daughton, Highways & Transport Service Manager Tel: (01865) 815083

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy – Commercial & Delivery (CMDDL7).

The Deputy Leader of the Council considered a proposal to install a puffing crossing on the B430 Station Road, Ardley in the light of responses received to a public consultation. 

Joseph Shields, a resident of Verney Road expressed concern that the County Council might not reach the right conclusion based on the response evidence before it.  85% of respondents had objected and yet the recommendation to proceed seemed to suggest that a no response could be interpreted as support.  He argued that there was no evidence to support closure and referred to the points raised in paragraph 9 relating to Higham Way.  At the very least there was not in his view enough information available to make a reasonable judgement and current conditions should be taken into account.

Mr Tole then read out an email from Frances Bridgeman who had been unable to attend and speak personally.  She had expressed dismay that despite an 87% response against the proposals it was still intended to proceed. She appreciated that only 30 responses had been received but were weighted 7:1 against the proposal.  She questioned the adequacy of proposals for monitoring and the likely success of limiting on road parking on Merton Street where residents had no off street parking. Parking would only be required for visitors to the Banbury mosque where off site parking was inadequate.

Mr Tole advised that it had never been the original intention for a link through to Thorpe Way to be open to traffic, whereas the original plan had been for 2 accesses through Alma Road and Higham Way.  The road at the proposed closure point was adopted but the rest was not.  When that happened the Merton Street junction could be dealt with.  The County Council were trying to balance the needs of all and, whilst accepting that there would be difficulties, were putting into place what had been formally proposed for the Cattlemarket Site.  It had to be accepted that the current practice had evolved but it was never intended for that to happen and subsequent development on Thorpe Way had exacerbated the situation.

He confirmed that when Higham Way was upgraded there would be a proper route from the southern end of Alma Road through to Higham Way and the closure of Thorpe Road would only take effect when the new link provided by Higham Way had been provided.

Having regard to the arguments and options set out in the documentation before him, the representations made to him and the further considerations set out above the Deputy Leader of the Council then confirmed his decisions on this matter as follows:

to approve the proposed prohibition of motor vehicles in Thorpe Way/Alma Road, Banbury as advertised in the Oxfordshire County Council (Banbury, Thorpe Way) (Prohibition of Motor vehicles – Except Motor Cycles) Order 20** to take effect once the new link provided by Higham Way was in place.