Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/044

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

Report by Director of Community Operations (CMDE6).

The former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40 is being redeveloped for residential use and it is considered advisable on road safety grounds as a result of the revised use of the land to close the existing gap in the central reserve that currently enables vehicles to turn right from the development site to the A40 eastbound carriageway as part of a planned major maintenance scheme in the summer of 2019.

This matter was considered and deferred by the Cabinet Member for Environment at her delegated decisions meeting on 31 May 2019 in response to concerns raised to a statutory consultation on the closure proposal and also raised at that meeting by County Councillor Glynis Phillips and for this matter City and Parish Councillor Roz Smith. 

The 19 May report is attached to the latest report to this meeting at Annex 1.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed closure of the central reserve gap which currently permits the right turn to the A40 eastbound carriageway from the former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40, as advertised.

Approved

In response to proposals to redevelop the former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40 it had been considered advisable on road safety grounds as a result of the revised use of the land to close the existing gap in the central reserve that currently enabled vehicles to turn right from the development site to the A40 eastbound carriageway as part of a planned major maintenance scheme in the summer of 2019. The matter had been considered by the Cabinet Member for Environment at her delegated decisions meeting on 31 May 2019 but deferred by her in response to concerns raised both to a statutory consultation on the closure proposal and at that meeting by County Councillor Glynis Phillips and for this matter City and Parish Councillor Roz Smith. Those concerns had centred on the need to consider the matter in the wider context of traffic movements in the area, including the Risinghurst area and delays in progressing an options study for improvements to the A40 in the vicinity of the Collinwood junction, including hazards faced by pedestrians crossing the A40 dual carriageway at the uncontrolled crossing point immediately east of this junction.  The Cabinet Member now considered the matter again in the light of a further report from officers addressing those concerns.

Councillor Phillips accepted that there now seemed little option other than to close the gap but posed three questions.  Would the right turn at the bottom of Collinwood Road be permanently closed;  would the dropped tactile kerbs at the current pedestrian crossing be retained when resurfacing work was carried out and was there any possibility of dedicating some finance for a signalised crossing if favoured by the Skanska report.

Mr Kirkwood confirmed that the right turn would be permanently closed; that tactile kerbing would be retained and regarding dedicating finance for a signalised crossing could give no guarantee for that but officers were aware of the problems there.

Councillor Roz Smith had been unable to attend due to an emergency but had sent in an email that morning to the Cabinet Member with a number of detailed questions mainly seeking information on numbers of additional vehicle movements.  Officers had been unable to provide figures nor best estimates in time for the meeting but at the request of the Cabinet Member would respond to Councillor Smith.

The Cabinet Member accepted the conclusion that there would be no adverse impact on the situation at Collinwood Road and having driven past recently on two occasions remained of the view that closure of the A40 gap as proposed presented the best solution on safety grounds. Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report and the representations made to her at the meeting confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve closure of the central reserve gap currently permitting a right turn to the A40 eastbound carriageway from the former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40 as advertised.

Signed………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/044

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

Report by Director of Community Operations (CMDE6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to close on road safety grounds the central reserve gap which currently permits the right turn to the A40 eastbound carriageway from the former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40 which is being redeveloped for residential use

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed closure of the central reserve gap which currently permits the right turn to the A40 eastbound carriageway from the former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40, as advertised.

Deferred (to June meeting if possible)

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to close on road safety grounds the central reserve gap which currently permitted a right turn to the A40 eastbound carriageway from the former Nielsen’s office site on the south side of the A40 which was being redeveloped for residential use.

While accepting the need to improve safety at the junction and appreciating the opportunity which was being taken to undertake this work while this stretch of road was being resurfaced County Councillor Glynis Phillips, however, asked that the matter be deferred in order to consider the matter again in the wider context of traffic and pedestrian movements in the area including the Risinghurst residential area and the options study being undertaken for improvements at the Collinwood Road junction in order to address the safety of residents from Risinghurst and Barton crossing the A40. A report on the latter issue had been delayed but needed to be factored in as it seemed illogical to look at arrangements at one junction in isolation of another so close. Closure of the gap would require residents coming out of the Nielsen development to go left and round the Green Road roundabout which was already the busiest in Oxfordshire or potentially rat run through Risinghurst.  Development at this site would inevitably increase further over time and a strategic approach was required to look at alternatives.

Councillor Sanders endorsed those comments.

While accepting the obvious safety concerns associated with a right turn out of this development site Councillor Roz Smith speaking as a City Councillor and Parish Councillor also supported deferral citing concerns regarding the environmental impact from increased rat running on residential areas in Risinghurst and Quarry. The requirement to review arrangements at the Collinwood junction which she agreed needed to be reopened with lights in tandem with the gap closure was paramount.  Serious delays with traffic often queuing back to Wheatley needed to be addressed and adding more traffic to currently congested roads was not the answer. 

Mr Kirkwood advised that a right turn out of this site was not a manoeuvre he could commend and as a road safety officer could not recommend it be retained. The potential impact on Risinghurst had been recognised in the report and the planning process associated with the development had indicated minimal impact on traffic levels. Furthermore, it seemed reasonable to suppose that most vehicle movements from the proposed development would turn left towards Oxford rather than right and eastwards. Regarding arrangements for potential signalisation at the Collinwood junction he advised separation of the two issues as further development at the Nielsen site could prompt a future renegotiation of arrangements but if left open could compromise the availability of resources.  There were other developments with access onto the ring road.

The Cabinet Member for Environment acknowledged the concerns regarding rat running and matters of safety expressed by officers. However, she considered that this proposal deserved further consideration as part of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31