Forward Plan Ref: 2019/139

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

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on proposed amendments to bus stop provision at Market Square and Newbury Street and consequent changes to disabled persons parking place provision in these roads put forward as a  result of congestion of buses in Market Place combined with the parking of vehicles on the ‘zig-zag’ line markings approaching the pedestrian crossing on the south side of Market Place and also taking account of the change in bus services resulting in the bus stop in Newbury Street now being redundant.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposed amendments to bus stops and disabled parking places at Market Square and Newbury Street, Wantage as advertised.

Approved

Noting support from Oxford Bus Company/Thames Travel and their desire to see the first part of the September 2017 agreed scheme implemented.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory consultation on proposed amendments to bus stop provision at Market Square and Newbury Street along with consequent changes to disabled persons parking place provision in those roads put forward as a  result of congestion of buses in Market Place combined with parking of vehicles on the ‘zig-zag’ line markings approaching the pedestrian crossing on the south side of Market Place and also taking account of the change in bus services resulting in the bus stop in Newbury Street being now redundant.

Also tabled was a letter received from Thames Travel generally supportive of the proposal but also calling for the first part of a scheme agreed in September 2017 to be progressed.

Officers also confirmed an amendment for paragraph 6 of the report to read as follows “Funding for the proposed measures has been provided by the Councillor Priority Fund and Oxfordshire County Council’s Parish Funded Works (South) Capital Budget”

Mr Kirkwood confirmed support from the local member County Councillor Jenny Hannaby and Wantage Town Council. Referring to the response from the Fire & Rescue service he added that that had not been interpreted as an objection to the specific scheme but more a generic comment regarding enforcement.

Noting the letter from Thames Travel setting out support for the scheme and the request to see that implemented along with the first part of the September 2017 agreed scheme the Cabinet Member for Environment understood that there were funding issues with the 2017 scheme. Therefore, not wishing for that to jeopardise progress on the current scheme she confirmed her decision, having regard to the information set out in the report before her along with the representations made to her at the meeting including the expressions of local support, to:

approve proposed amendments to bus stops and disabled parking places at Market Square and Newbury Street, Wantage as advertised.

Signed………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………..