Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/164

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (CMDE4).

The report presents the outcomes of a consultation on proposals originally consulted on in 2016 for the Access to Headington project to introduce and amend various Traffic Regulation Orders and other traffic measures. This further consultation is required because the statutory two-year limit from the start of consultation to implement Traffic Regulation Orders has been exceeded due to delays with implementation of the project, but noting that much of the project had now been implemented.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals as advertised. 

Approved

Consideration to be given to:

·           establishing a better position regarding parking on side roads

·           further consultation for off peak on street parking on Windmill Road

·           right hand arrow on lights at bottom of Headley Way

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE4) responses to a further consultation on proposals for the Access to Headington project to introduce and amend various Traffic Regulation Orders and other traffic measure.  This further consultation had been required because the statutory two-year limit from the start of the original consultation in 2016 had been exceeded due to delays with implementation of the project.

Derek Albiston a resident of Windmill Road asked for consideration to be given to an extension of the existing off-peak parking on Windmill Road.  The road was getting much busier and as an open straight road was susceptible to speeding traffic. Extending parking could help with traffic calming and alleviate the pressure for resident parking overnight. There was no provision for disabled parking ofrhealth visitors to park.

Responding to Mr Albiston the Cabinet Member pointed out that as there had been an objection from the Windmill Road Residents’ Group on the grounds of parking pressure it seemed to her that this could present an opportunity to reach a good compromise.

Mr Kirkwood agreed that it had been a difficult balance but nothing material had changed since 2016 and officers were of the view that the measures as proposed outweighed inconvenience to residents.  Any decision to extend restrictions would require further consultation but confirmed that the restrictions could be reviewed and that disabled drivers would be able to park on yellow lines but not health visitors.

Speaking on behalf of Cyclox Graham Smith considered that this had been a disappointing retrospective consultation with no opportunity offered to discuss or influence the proposals the design for which met neither the standards for cycle super routes or premium route network paths or county council policy. Provision for cyclists was inadequate and although cycle paths had smooth lengths it was uncomfortable and incoherent with steep ramps, slopes induced at paths and drives, ironwork in the surface particularly at the filling station at the bottom of Headley Way and insufficient dropped kerbs. Consultation plans had been inadequate and there was concern that there was no protected cycle route uphill on Headley Way with pedestrians having to share space on the steepest uphill section between Copse Lane and Bowness Avenue which was most unsatisfactory. There was also conflict at the JR Hospital access between people cycling straight on and cars turning left.

The Cabinet Member referred to the objection from Cyclox and the additional submission by Mr Smith and asked officers to respond.

Mr Kirkwood confirmed that while some adjustments had already been made to specific sites the safety audit would identify any other issues with the scheme on site which could then be addressed.

Pat Mulvihill confirmed that the Access to Headington scheme would finish in March 2020. An inspection would then be carried providing an opportunity to look at specific items raised with some resource available to address any issues.  He would take up the points raised by Mr Smith but confirmed that issues regarding shared space on Headley Way presented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47