Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/132

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

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE8).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce a 50mph speed limit on the A423 Oxford Southern bypass between its junctions with A34 Hinksey Hill interchange and the existing 50mph speed limit which terminates just north east of the Heyford Hill roundabout junction (and including also a 50mph speed limit on the slip road to Kennington village),  a 40mph speed limit on the Old Abingdon Road and Kennington Road between the A423 and the existing 30mph speed limits at their  entries  to Oxford City and Kennington village put forward as a result of a review of safety on the A423 Oxford Southern bypass following the completion in late 2015 of the A423 Kennington Roundabout improvement.

These speed limits were previously approved in 2017, with approval for the 50mph speed limit being given at the Cabinet Member for Environment decisions meeting on 29 June 2017 and the 40mph speed limit at the Cabinet Member for Environment decisions meeting on 7 September 2017. However, due to delays in their implementation, the council is required to reconsult on proposals as more than two years has elapsed since their original publication.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve a 50mph speed limit on the A423 Oxford Southern bypass between its junctions with A34 Hinksey Hill interchange and the existing 50mph speed limit which terminates just north east of the Heyford Hill roundabout junction (and including also a 50mph speed limit on the slip road to Kennington village) and  a 40mph speed limit on the Old Abingdon Road and Kennington Road between the A423 and the existing 30mph speed limits at their  entries  to Oxford city  and Kennington village as advertised.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 50mph speed limit on the A423 Oxford Southern bypass between its junctions with A34 Hinksey Hill interchange and the existing 50mph speed limit which terminated just north east of the Heyford Hill roundabout junction (and including also a 50mph speed limit on the slip road to Kennington village), a 40mph speed limit on the Old Abingdon Road and Kennington Road between the A423 and the existing 30mph speed limits at their entries to Oxford City and Kennington village put forward as a result of a review of safety on the A423 Oxford Southern bypass following completion in late 2015 of the A423 Kennington Roundabout improvement. These speed limits had previously been approved in 2017 but due to delays in their implementation, the council had been required to reconsult on the proposals as more than two years had elapsed since their original publication.

Councillor Johnston supported the recommendation but recognising the request from Cyclox/Cycling UK for a lower limit on both slip roads that might need to be looked at again.  Alterations to the Kennington roundabout had been successful and a changing attitude to cycling was changing the emphasis being given to provision of cycling facilities under for example LTP5.

Mr Kirkwood confirmed that the proposals had been identified as part of the safety audit on the Kennington roundabout scheme and any reduction in traffic speed would suggest an improvement in safety for cyclists.

Noting the high level of responses received although reflecting a 50/50 split between support and objection and having regard to the information set out in the report along with the representations made to her at the meeting the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve a 50mph speed limit on the A423 Oxford Southern bypass between its junctions with A34 Hinksey Hill interchange and the existing 50mph speed limit which terminates just north east of the Heyford Hill roundabout junction (and including also a 50mph speed limit on the slip road to Kennington village) and  a 40mph speed limit on the Old Abingdon Road and Kennington Road between the A423 and the existing 30mph speed limits at their  entries  to Oxford city  and Kennington village as advertised.

Signed…………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………………….