Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/061

Contact: Joanne Fellows, Infrastructure Locality Lead Tel: 07990 368897/Stewart Wilson, Principal Transport Planning Officer Tel: 07801 740354

Report by Director for Planning & Place (CA11).

The report outlines Connecting Oxford proposals - further traffic restrictions across Oxford and a workplace parking levy in Oxford's Eastern Arc - and the transport, environmental and other benefits it could deliver for Oxfordshire. A timetable and costs for the work required to design a detailed scheme and develop a DfT compliant business case, which will thoroughly assess a range of scheme benefits and impacts, are contained within the report. Initial proposals were recently subject to an extensive engagement exercise and the report confirms the main findings.

In addition, the report sets out the need for further consultation and engagement. It is proposed to develop a detailed scheme and business case between January/February 2020 and Autumn 2021. A decision is required on whether to proceed on this basis (with the necessary funding to undertake this work already secured from the Housing & Growth Deal).

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to endorse the overall approach proposed as the basis for further scheme and business case development of Connecting Oxford proposals in partnership with Oxford City Council.

Recommendations Agreed

Cabinet considered a report which outlined Connecting Oxford proposals - further traffic restrictions across Oxford and a workplace parking levy in Oxford's Eastern Arc - and the transport, environmental and other benefits it could deliver for Oxfordshire. A timetable and costs for the work required to design a detailed scheme and develop a DfT compliant business case, which would thoroughly assess a range of scheme benefits and impacts, were contained within the report. Initial proposals were recently subject to an extensive engagement exercise and the report confirmed the main findings.

Ms Alison Hill speaking as Chair of Cyclox (the cycle campaign for Oxford), welcomed Connecting Oxford as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the way people travelled in the city. They believed in approving this, the Council would be the first in the UK to tackle the problems of congestion in such a radical way.

Ghent in Belgium a medieval university city like Oxford, had demonstrated that it was possible to switch attitudes overnight. Streets were blocked to motorists one Sunday evening in 2017 and to the disappointment of the waiting media – there was no wailing, no gnashing of teeth, no gridlock. Motorists had found that, while their journeys were longer in distance, they took less time because there were fewer fellow travellers on the roads. Motor vehicles used to make up 55% of trips in Ghent – that number had now fallen to 27%.

There would inevitably be resistance as this was a huge change. CoHSAT offered support through engagement with their collective membership and with the local communities, by promoting the plans, and providing or obtaining expert advice in taking the next steps to making Connecting Oxford a reality and increasing its ambition.  She urged the Cabinet to approve the bold plan.

Councillor Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment thanked Ms Hill for her strong support and offer of assistance to reach the general public.

Mr Robin Tucker speaking as Chair of Oxfordshire Cycling Network and a member of the Oxfordshire Strategic Transport Forum and of the coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel, welcomed the proposals for Connecting Oxford. In a recent Government Survey, 74% agreed that everyone should reduce how much they use their motor vehicles in urban areas for the sake of public health.  The impact of climate crisis had reached a dramatic level, yet traffic increased year on year.  People understood the need for change but found it difficult to change long established habits.  It was up to the Council as policy makers to carry people in the right direction.

As well as individual benefits, Connecting Oxford enabled a positive transformation of the City, new spaces for people, supporting education and business became possible.

He urged the Cabinet to adopt the plan and offered their help to develop the details and to help engage with communities.

Councillor Constance thanked Mr Tucker for his comments, particularly around the emphasis on improvement on the public realm Hill. She reported that Birmingham had plans to stop all cars  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9