Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/053

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

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE5).

Following approval by the Cabinet Member for Environment in June 2018 and April 2019 of a programme of new Controlled Parking Zones in Oxford, this report presents the responses to the formal consultation on a new Zone in the Cowley Central West area.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the     proposals as advertised for a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in the Cowley Central West area, with the following amendments:

(a)         with regard to the submission by Church Cowley St James Primary School, to provide for the allocation of business permits at the approved annual fee for staff, with the maximum number of such permits to be determined in consultation with the school;

(b)         with regard to the submission by the Lewin Close Owners Association, to review the proposed provision of parking places on Crowell Road adjacent to its junction with Lewin Close to ensure that adequate visibility is maintained.

Approved

Provision to be made for the allocation of business permits to staff at Church Cowley St James Primary School following negotiations regarding agreement for a maximum number of permits with the intention that those that are  issued kept to as few as possible.

Lewin Close to be included in the CPZ and provision of parking spaces in Crowell Road to ensure adequate visibility be reviewed as part of the LTN proposals.

Following approval by the Cabinet Member for Environment in June 2018 and April 2019 for a programme of new Controlled Parking Zones in Oxford, this report (CMDE5) presents responses to the formal consultation on a new Zone in the Cowley Central West area.

Marko Jung for the Lewins Close Owners Association.  Lewins Close was a private road of 16 dwellings with access to Crowell Road. Residents objected  to the omission of Lewin Close from Schedule 3 to the Order covering permit eligibility. That omission would not only impact on the parking capabilities for residents of the Close but their visitors but also property valus.  Residents were also concerned regarding the proposed dual use bays at the entrance to Lewin Close and the unnecessary risk for vehicles and pedestrians leaving the Close due to the increased visual obstruction from vehicles parking all day in the dual use bays and other vehicles parking on pavements.  These bays would reduce traffic flow and the width of the carriageway to a single lane of traffic and  increase congestion, pollution and noise on an already busy road.

The Committee Officer reported a written submission from Peter Blackburn who had been unable to attend the meeting but objected to this scheme and proposals for the planned LTN route which he considered another hair brained scheme by the county council to raise money.

Councillor Sanders also speaking on behalf of Councillor Gill Sanders supported the scheme and expressed some sympathy for the residents of Lewin Close.

Officers confirmed that Lewin Close could be included within the schedule for eligible properties and regarding to the dual use bays that if there were safety concerns there was scope to remove the bays and consider other options as part of the LTN proposals.

Noting those two confirmations the Cabinet Member for Environment having regard tyo the information set out in the report before her and the representations made at the meeting confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposals as advertised for a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in the Cowley Central West area, with the following amendments:

(a)           provision be made for the allocation of business permits to staff at Church Cowley St James Primary School following negotiations regarding agreement for a maximum number of permits with the intention that those that were issued were kept to as few as possible;

(b)          Lewin Close to be included in the Cowley Central Area (West) Controlled Parking Zone and provision of parking spaces in Crowell Road be reviewed as part of the LTN proposals in order to ensure adequate visibility at the Lewins Close access.

Signed…………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………..