Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/003

Contact: Owen Jenkins, Service Manager for Highways, Transport & Waste Tel: (01865) 323304 and Paul Fermer, Service Manager, Major Infrastructure Delivery Tel: (01865) 815764

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy (Commercial) (CMDE4).

The report presents the outcomes of consultation on the Access to Headington project which includes proposals to introduce and amend various Traffic Regulation Orders and other traffic measures.  

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approvethe implementation of proposals as advertised and as set out below:

a)           waiting restrictions on The Slade

b)           the amended proposals for waiting restrictions and residents parking places on Headley Way and Windmill Road (as consulted on between 30 April 2016 and 23 May 2016)

c)           the new residents parking bays on side streets adjacent to Windmill Road with the exception of the following:

                 i.             Stile Rd – 3 bays on boundary of 62 St Leonards (east side)

               ii.             Stile Rd – 1 bay outside 25 Stile Road (east side)

              iii.             Margaret Road – 1 Bay outside number 12 (south side)

              iv.             Windsor Street – 1 bay opposite 18 (north side)

               v.             St Anne’s Road – 3 bays boundary with 18 Gathorne Road (west side)

d)           the proposed mandatory cycle lane on the east side of Headley Way, but shortened by 9m between its junction with Bowness Avenue and Snowdon Mede

e)           the proposed mandatory cycle lane on the west side of Headley Way between the John Radcliffe Hospital junction and Eden Drive 

f)            shared use cycle track on Headley Way

g)           the reversal of  the permitted direction of travel, and proposed changes to the waiting restrictions (including the provision of a traffic calming narrowing)  in the Cherwell Drive service road.

h)           the turning restrictions at the proposed new signalled junctions of Headley Way and the John Radcliffe Hospital access road and the Headley Way / Cherwell Drive junctions with Marsh Lane and Marston Road and at the existing signalled junction of Old Road with Warneford Lane, Gipsy Lane and Roosevelt Drive, and A4142 Eastern bypass junction with Horspath Driftway

i)             proposed new and amended pedestrian and pedal cyclists crossings with the exception of:

                 i.             the new pedestrian and cycle controlled crossing on Old Road

               ii.             the proposed signal controlled crossing on Headley Way by Coniston Avenue

j)             the raised side road entry treatments on Headley Way, Windmill Road and The Slade

Approved with an undertaking to consult on a 20 mph speed limit on Windmill Road.

Noted that the scheme would be subject to further monitoring providing opportunities for further minor adjustments.

Officers to consider further various matters raised by speakers including:

·                     the issue of residents’ visitors permits in CPZs in Headington

·                     possible re-instatement a yellow box on Stile Road/London Road

·                     the route to the hospital from the bus stop on Girdlestone Road

·                     parking for residents of The Slade (as part of the proposed Lye Valley CPZ)

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE4) the results of a consultation on the Access to Headington project which had included proposals to introduce and amend various traffic regulation orders and other traffic measures.

Chris Clifford advised that although the Windmill Road Residents Association cautiously welcomed the revised scheme concerns remained regarding speeding traffic and potential knock on effects of the scheme. Windmill Road was a residential road close to a school and it was important to retain access for disabled and safe passage for cyclists.

Michael Hugh Jones expressed his dissatisfaction at only being given 2 minutes and dismay at the costs involved for this scheme adding that growth and expansion was the last thing Oxfordshire needed.  Money should instead on supporting bus services.  He also considered that as toucan crossings were frequently misused resulting in traffic delays they should be replaced with zebra crossings.

Valerie Seagroatt was concerned that proposals to remove residents parking could potentially encourage greater traffic speed with further potential for more accidents and suggested a 20 mph speed limit would help.  Supporting travel by means other than car she questioned whether the project offered value for money and the efficacy of using S106 money for this project.

David Preiss supported the revised scheme but pointed out that Windmill Road should be classified as a primary route. Traffic speed remained a concern for cyclists and serious consideration needed to be given to measures to achieve reductions in speed.

Geoff Sutton spoke on behalf of Windmill School whose catchment area was split by Windmill Road. Supporting the proposals he referred to a fatality involving a child some years back. That had nearly been repeated recently which indicated a clear risk was still present and he appealed to the County Council to listen to local concerns to reduce traffic speeds through traffic calming and a 20 mph speed limit.

City Councillor Mick Haines called for retention of the Marsh Lane and Cherwell junctions roundabouts. Accepting that the junctions were busy that was however only for short periods during the day and replacement with lights would cause greater chaos.  There was a lot of support to keep things as they were.

City Councillor Dee Sinclair welcomed the proposed amendments but there were still concerns which included the one-way system around Stile and Holyoake roads which was not always observed; use of the St Leonards car park by permit holders would result in less parking available for shoppers; reduction in visitor permits for new development and the potential for increased speeds on Windmill Road through removal of parking spaces. She also asked for consideration to be given to reinstating the yellow boxes on the Stile Road/London Road junction.

City Councillor Ruth Wilkinson supported the proposals but highlighted the need for traffic calming in Windmill Road to control speed and suggested a 20 mph speed limit and solar powered repeater speed signs. She also expressed concern regarding additional parking bays outside and opposite 57 York Rd are which were immediately  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72