Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/183

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE4).

The Botley Road Improvement project builds upon objectives set out in the Oxford Transport Strategy where a study of Botley Road was completed in 2016 which confirmed, following stakeholder feedback, the value of a high-quality route that prioritised sustainable transport modes to ease congestion, reduce journey times and improve journey experience.The project includes a package of measures aimed at:    

a.         encourage greater use of more sustainable modes of transport - buses, cycling and walking

b.         ease congestion on the route

c.         improve bus journey times so buses have an advantage over general traffic

d.         provide a safer, more continuous and attractive route for cyclists and pedestrians 

e.         reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.

f.          Unlock economic growth and job creation opportunities by benefiting development sites with improved access and additional capacity.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals as advertised, with the following amendments;

a)        Parking layby outside nos 63 to 69 Botley Road to remain resulting in no requirement for amendments to permit holder only parking places on Alexandra Road and Oatlands Road,

b)        No amendments to permit holder only parking places on Harley Road and Riverside Road, and

c)        Parking layby outside nos 119 to 121 Botley Road to be removed. Two (2) no. parking places limiting waiting to 1 hour (no return within one hour) to be provided on highway verge to opposite side of Botley Road resulting in no requirement for amendments to permit holder only parking places on Duke Street and Earl Street.

Approved

Additional actions/agreements

Agree to re-consult on an extension of the 20mph speed limit to include the new toucan crossing by Waitrose.

Cycling Groups invited to set up a coalition group to help advise on design work to include further discussion on junction design specifically Eynsham Road and A420 slip and design of cycle facilities.

Support location of toucan crossing at Riverside Road and relocated bus stop (in conjunction with next 2 actions down).

Officers to look again at retaining the central pedestrian crossing island outside Waitrose.

Officers to investigate reducing size of central traffic island to east of the proposed toucan crossing at Riverside Road to maximise length of right turn lane.

Officers to look at widening the pavement in connection with the staggered crossing at Westway. Possible need to reconsult on that and if so consider inclusion with the re-consultation on the 20 mph extension.

Investigate Old Botley Island area to see if it is possible to make improvements for pedestrians.

No support at present for removal of Islands along A420 Botley Road.

No support for a 20mph limit on whole length of Botley Road.

No support for provision of coloured cycle lanes.

Officers to consider signage for off road cycle routes and provision of safer right turns to connect to the quiet off road routes.

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The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE4) the latest elements for the Botley Road Improvement project in order to build on objectives set out in the Oxford Transport Strategy for a high-quality route that prioritised sustainable transport modes to ease congestion, reduce journey times and improve journey experience through a package of measures aimed at:    

a.         encouraging greater use of more sustainable modes of transport - buses, cycling and walking;

b.         easing congestion on the route;

c.         improving bus journey times so buses have an advantage over general traffic;

d.         providing a safer, more continuous and attractive route for cyclists and pedestrians;

e.         reducing vehicle emissions and improve air quality;

f.          unlocking economic growth and job creation opportunities by benefiting development sites with improved access and additional capacity.

James Griffiths spoke against removal of the parking layby outside 119 to 121 Botley Road.  The bay had been there since the 1970s to facilitate the shops and was integral to his launderette business enabling customers to unload and carry heavy wet washing. It was in constant use and a lifeline for his business.  The spaces on the opposite side of the road would not work for his customers and he estimated removal of the bay would result in a 30% loss of revenue and business for just 100 metres of additional bus lane.

Darian Stibbe congratulated the county council on the scheme particularly the proposed 20 mph. However, he felt for safety reasons that that needed to be extended further west to include the Waitrose junction which was extremely busy, complex and cluttered and hard for pedestrians to cross with cars accelerating from the end of the current 20 restricted area. It was an arbitrary judgement but one which he felt would be of huge benefit.

Responding to the Cabinet Member Mr Warren confirmed that Department for Transport advice stressed that local speed limits needed to make sense to the average user and take into account the surrounding environment and how that looked to road users. Also current average speeds at this point were above 24mph and so Department advice commended the use of 20mph limits only in conjunction with other supporting measures. As there was no provision for that therefore 20 could be commended only if self-supporting. Unfortunately, national data showed that such compliance was low when not supported by such measures. There were no concerns regarding to the new toucan crossing and the proposed 30 mph speed limit.

Mr Dryden endorsed the comments made by Mr Stibbe regarding extension of the 20mph restriction. However, he had a number of concerns namely:

·                     Extension of the 20mph speed limit beyond the Waitrose frontage should be implemented now and not delayed until the as yet unfunded Phase 2.

·                     Retention of the eastbound bus stop at its current location outside the pedestrian entrance to Waitrose and not moving it 62 metres to the east as proposed as that would result in bus users having to cross additional vehicle routes including 2 driveways and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83