Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/064

Contact: Martin Kraftl, Principal Infrastructure Co-ordinator Tel: 07920 084336

Report by Director for Planning & Place (CA8).

This report summarises the results of the formal public consultation on the proposed experimental Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit buses, taxis and private hire vehicles from Queen Street, Oxford and amendments to permanent Traffic Regulation Orders on the surrounding network. Other proposals include amendments to bus stops and layover points, including bus stop clearways, adjustments to three key junctions and the installation of 5 no. zebra crossings. The report supplies recommendations and seeks approval on moving the project forward in a timely manner to achieve the desired delivery date of October 2017 to coincide with the opening of the re-developed Westgate.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)             consider the contents of this report, including the consultation responses received, in the context of the statutory framework as set out in Annex 5;

(b)             approve the proposal for an experimental TRO restricting bus, taxi and private hire access to Queen Street as advertised, subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Transport;

(c)             instruct officers to develop a monitoring framework for the experimental closure of Queen Street, in consultation with (amongst others) the bus operators, city council, and Cabinet Member for Environment;

(d)             instruct officers to continue to develop options for city centre bus routeing – including options for Queen Street – in partnership with Oxford City Council and bus operators and drawing on monitoring of the experimental closure when available;

(e)             approve the retention of the existing cycle access arrangements in Queen Street (cycling permitted 18:00 – 10:00);

(f)              approve the proposal for zebra crossings in St Aldate’s, Speedwell Street, New Road, Park End Street and Worcester Street as advertised;

(g)             approve the proposal for changes to loading, waiting and stopping in High Street and St Aldate’s as advertised;

(h)             approve the changes to bus stop clearways as advertised;

(i)               note that design changes may be made to the published proposals to deal with concerns raised in the consultation and as part of the safety audit process.  Certain changes may require further consultation.

Recommendations agreed.

Cabinet had before them a report summarising the results of the formal public consultation on the proposed experimental Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit buses, taxis and private hire vehicles from Queen Street, Oxford and amendments to permanent Traffic Regulation Orders on the surrounding network. Other proposals included amendments to bus stops and layover points, including bus stop clearways, adjustments to three key junctions and the installation of 5 no. zebra crossings. The report sought approval on moving the project forward in a timely manner to achieve the desired delivery date of October 2017 to coincide with the opening of the re-developed Westgate.

Barrie Finch, Oxfordshire NPC Group, commented that the Group would be looking for Councillor Constance to hold informal and to monitor the experiment with local bus groups, pedestrians etc. He suggested that the experiment would be better if it was an experimental opening rather than closure to buses and taxis. Referring to the consultation he felt that the responses had been cherry picked to give a particular picture. He added that there was a lack of detail and clarity in the report. For example there was no indication where bus stops would be sighted. There was a lack of consideration of the needs of the partially sighted, wheelchair users and the elderly.

Dan Levy, Cyclox, stated that whilst accepting that what was being proposed was an experiment, their Group would wish to see during part of the period an experimental trial of cyclists in Queen Street. He added that it was odd that a prime cycle route should be closed to cycles at any time but asked that if it was then serious consideration be given to a safe alternative route from the station to High Street. He welcomed the improvements to the teardrop but added that there were still technical issues requiring improvement. Dan Levy suggested that if looking at the whole area one solution would be to close one of either  Park End Street or Hyth Bridge Street to all except cycles or to make them a a one way system.

Sajad Khan, COTA, spoke in support of the taxi rank on Cornmarket which they saw as a vital improvement. The Group did not support the positioning of the rank on High Street which was too far down the road making it inaccessible. They would prefer to see a small rank for one or two taxi’s at the Cornmarket end of High Street. Sajid Khan also requested that consideration be given to a small rank on New Road for people exiting The Westgate Centre.

Graham Jones, ROX and the Oxford High Street Association spoke in support of the arguments put forward by the bus companies as to why Queen Street could not be pedestrianised as yet. He highlighted the congestion to High Street caused by additional buses using and stopping there. This would add to pollution levels and affect delivery times for businesses. Graham Jones also referred to safety issues on the High Street and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55