Issue - meetings

See attached Annex.

Councillor Judy Roberts had given written notice of the following question to Councillor Yvonne Constance:

‘Can we be assured by the Cabinet Member for Environment that the review of the cycle and walking standards referred to in the Oxford Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan will incorporate the relevant National standards and that these standards will be adhered to in the designs that are produced to implement the forthcoming Oxford, Bicester and Didcot LCWIPs?’

Councillor Constance replied:

‘The review of the Oxfordshire cycle and walking standards will take into account all relevant national guidance, including current guidance and forthcoming updated national cycling guidance. It is intended that the updated Oxfordshire guidance will be more succinct and more focused on designs that are typically a cause of contention, such as priority for cycle track crossings of side roads, including the inclusion of schematic design plans. The intention is that the design standards will thereby be more easily accessible and more helpful to all groups, such as planners, developers and engineers, involved in cycle and walking scheme design. In this way, it is intended a greater adherence to design standards will be achieved in scheme designs and implementation. Outline schemes within the Oxford LCWIP and future designs in the draft Bicester and Didcot LCWIPs will all follow Oxfordshire Cycling and Walking Design Standards and other best practice cycling and walking design guidance.’

Supplementary Question: ‘Is there enough flexibility in the detailed planning of the HIF bid infrastructure project to fully integrate with the recommendations of the Didcot LCWIP and what level of modal shift from car to walking, cycling and public transport does the OCC modelling predict?

Councillor Constance responded:

‘The public consultation for the HIF bid is currently on the Council website and that will be taken into consideration. The ambition is a 50% increase in cycling and walking which is challenging but should be possible if the funding is received.’

Councillor Susanna Pressel had given written notice of the following question to Councillor Yvonne Constance:

‘I’d like to congratulate everyone concerned in commissioning and writing the report on the Oxford Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). Please pass on my congratulations and thanks.

It’s one of the best reports I have ever read. It could revolutionise the health of our residents -- by encouraging active travel - and reduce considerably the pollution and congestion that we all hate so much.

It provides the government with a persuasive case for investing heavily in walking and cycling in our county. I was delighted to see that we have already had positive feedback from the DfT, which also recognises how these proposals fit in with some of the other excellent and bold work that has been taking place. I was particularly glad to see that they support 20 mph limits and I hope we will get far more of these?

I’d like to ask Cabinet firstly when we hope to hear about government investment in some of the schemes proposed, secondly when  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24